Published: May 16, 2008 10:57 am            

American Legion ceremony a tribute to veterans

“For God and Country” is the theme of this year’s tribute to veterans during the annual memorial service to be conducted by the Anderson Grant American Legion Auxiliary Unit 250.

The tribute will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at West Bethel Baptist Church, 605 W. Cherokee Ave.

The Auxiliary will also hold a memorial service at the gravesite of fallen veteran John Russell Jr. at Oak Hill Cemetery Monday at 11 a.m.

“The public is invited to both events as we remember veterans and all they have done to give us our freedom,” Auxiliary member Helen Turner said.

“Please come to the service to honor deceased veterans — if not for them we would not enjoy the free life we live.”

Turner said that women veterans who attend Saturday’s tribute will receive certificates honoring them.

Cecil Lee, associate pastor of West Bethel Baptist Church, will be Saturday’s guest speaker. Music will be provided by Jeanette Sanders, Cletis Lowe Jr., Lee and the choir of West Bethel.

Post 250 Legion members will assist.

In addition, poppies and poppy boards are now being offered for donations. “After World War II, the remaining servicemen returning from Flanders and France carried the memory of a red blossom in their minds, a flower that grew wild on a devastated battlefield where they had fought and watched comrades die, fighting in defense for our freedom,” Turner said.

“The first poppies were worn on November 9, 1918, in New York City by Kansas City Auxiliary member Miss Moina Michael. At the first American Legion Auxiliary convention in 1921, the poppy was adopted as its memorial flower.

“For originating the idea, Miss Michael received the Distinguished Service Medal Award. The Auxiliary resolved to encourage all people to wear a poppy on Memorial Day.”

Today, the poppies made in Oklahoma come from a factory in Muskogee. Those first poppies were made by French widows and orphans, out of silk. “The first American poppies were produced by veterans in Minnesota hospitals,” Turner said.

“Crepe paper was selected as the material to be used in the U.S. to manufacture the flower. This project also provided work for disabled veterans.

“Wearing the poppy is our nation’s tribute to fallen veterans. Distribution and sales have provided help for veterans and their families financially, and provides rehabilitation for the disabled.”

For more information or to receive a poppy or a poppy board for a donation, call 426-0870.

Contact Susan Brittingham at 421-2029 or e-mail sbrittingham@mcalesternews.com.

        

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