Community Corner

'Poppy Ladies' Offer Tokens of Remembrance

The money donated in exchange for the poppies directly benefits veterans in VA hospitals.

You see them twice a year. Each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the Poppy Ladies of the take up baskets of red, crepe paper poppies and station themselves outside grocery stores and shopping centers to pass out tiny reminders of those who made a huge sacrifice.

“I personally don’t feel that enough is done for our men and women that have served and suffered for the good of our country and keep us at peace,” said Marilyn Roy, chair of the poppy distribution. “That’s my personal feeling.”

Most of these women know the impacts of that sacrifice firsthand. Members of the American Legion Auxiliary have to be veterans or related to a veteran—a spouse, sister, mother, grandmother, daughter or granddaughter.

Find out what's happening in Smyrna-Viningswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It takes a fleet of about 50 auxiliary volunteers to distribute the poppies during Memorial Day weekend and on Veteran’s Day. The ALA sells poppies because of the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Col. John McCrae, which describes how “in Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row.”

All the poppies are handmade by veterans as part of their therapy. Roy said the money American Legion Post 160 Auxiliary raises during the poppy distributions usually goes to veterans in Veterans Affairs hospitals. She said that last year the Post 160 Auxiliary raised $6,000 for veterans between its Memorial Day and Veterans Day distribution events.

Find out what's happening in Smyrna-Viningswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Poppy Ladies can be found distributing poppies Sunday at the South Cobb Drive Kroger, the Atlanta Road Kroger just inside the perimeter and the Walmart on East West Connector. ALA members will also distribute poppies at .

 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Smyrna-Vinings