Friday, May 13, 2005

Poppy preparation honors war's dead

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By REBECCA MEANY
Express Staff Writer

American Legion Auxiliary members Linda Johnson, left, Jeanne Cassell, Elaine Charlat and Jennie Koleno prepare paper poppies Wednesday at the David Ketchum American Legion Post 115. The poppies will be distributed the last week of May and on Memorial Day to honor soldiers who have died in war. Photo by David N. Seelig

What started as one woman's memorial to fallen World War I soldiers has blossomed into a multi-nation remembrance of war's dead nearly 100 years later.

On Wednesday, the Ladies' Auxiliary of the David Ketchum American Legion Post 115 gathered before their monthly dinner to prepare bunches of paper poppies for distribution later this month.

The Auxiliary has pledged to remind Americans of soldiers who have died in war. Distribution of the memorial flowers around Memorial Day is one means to that end, said Elaine Charlat, Auxiliary president.

Ketchum Auxiliary members bought 2,000 poppies—made by veterans—from the Legion's district headquarters. The bunched flowers have to be separated and fluffed before distribution in the coming weeks.

Contributions will be used to aid veterans and their families, Charlat said.

"The funds we earn go back to them," she said. "It's a nice circle."

Although veterans earn only a small sum for their work, poppy creation helps keep elderly veterans busy and gives them a little extra income.

"If nothing else, the emphasis is on distribution for awareness," Charlat said. "This is our mission: to perpetuate this."

The activity is part of what auxiliary members hope is the beginning of a greater presence in the community.

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"Because of the war in Iraq and the wounded veterans, we felt we needed to do this—to remind everyone we have wounded veterans coming back," said Auxiliary member Linda Johnson.

Johnson recalled that in her youth many people wore red poppies on Memorial Day and Veterans' Day.

"Everybody had one in their button hole," she said.

Because fewer people in today's society wear jackets with button holes, Charlat suggested putting the flowers in running caps, belt loops or in one's hair.

Baskets of poppies should start appearing around town the last week of May, Charlat said.

The Ketchum City Council has proclaimed May 28 as Poppy Day.