American Legion, Legion Auxillary To Honor Veterans

An expression of remembering veterans will be evident Friday, Saturday and throughout Memorial Day weekend with several events sponsored by the American Legion and Auxiliary.
On Friday, the American Legion and Auxiliary, with the help of the 4-H group, Ornery Otters, from Kismet with their leader, will be stationed at Dillon�??s and Wal-Mart, distributing poppies from 3 to 7 p.m. Some may be there from noon to 3 p.m. If there are poppies left, volunteers will be at Wal-Mart Saturday morning.

The red crepe paper poppies are made by disabled veterans in poppy washrooms in 40 states. Auxiliary units purchase the poppies for a fee. Veterans receive pay for each poppy made. Proceeds received for poppies are returned to honorably discharged veterans from the U.S. Armed Forces, who are in the five soldiers homes in Kansas for either their personal need or benefit in some way. There is also a therapeutic value to the veterans through this project.
The poppy originated during World War I when in the midst of complete devastation of the war, poppies bloomed in the spring in abundance on the battlefields of France, where many of our men had fallen in battle. In fact, the man for whom the American Legion Post No. 80 is named, Sgt. Lawrence M. Wimmer, is buried in Flanders Field.
A replica of this flower has become the Memorial Flower of the American Legion Auxiliary. Hence the poem, �??In Flanders Fields,�?� written by John McCrae, Canadian physician, soldier and poet.
Those who meet with this weekend�??s volunteers are encouraged to accept any donation for a poppy to benefit the veterans.
On Monday, the local American Legion and Legion Auxiliary units will host their Memorial Day services to honor all POWs and fallen service men and women from all wars.
These services will take place at both cemeteries in Liberal. Times for each service are as follows:
�?? Liberal Cemetery at 11:05 a.m.
�?? Restlawn Memorial Gardens at 2 p.m.
May 29 services will be as follows:
�?? Liberal Springs at 1:15 p.m.
�?? Good Samaritan 2:30 p.m.
�?? Wheatridge at 4 p.m.
The public is invited to all services.