For more than 80 years, red poppies have been worn by many Americans around Memorial Day. The poppy signifies reverence for the servicemen who died for America during all the wars. The poppy is their flower. It grew on the battlefields of Europe where so many fought and died. This flower grew along the battlefields and among the graves of American dead and has become the symbol of their sacrifice.

The poppy has become recognized as an appropriate way in which the war dead can be honored while the disabled are rehabilitated. The need for the relief work which poppy funds make possible has grown each year.

Money dropped into contribution boxes or given to American Legion and Auxiliary members in exchange for poppies goes to the welfare activities of the American Legion and Auxiliary; all funds are used for children and youth and veterans affairs and rehabilitation. Traditionally, there has never been any price fixed to the poppy. Donations of any amount are acceptable, because the basic purpose of poppy day is to honor the war dead and assist the living.