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Show 'Poppy Day" Set for May 23 Among the French farmers who till the battlefields of the World war, there is a tradition that where the men fell thickest the little wild poppies pop-pies push up their blooms in the greatest profusion. A symbolic connection con-nection is seen between the blood of the slain and the bright red blossoms of the poppies. In America on the Saturday before Memorial day, May 23, the poppy will be worn by millions in tribute to the World war dead. Where true patriots pat-riots swell the thickest the blood-red symbols of sacrifice will be seen in great numbers. It is to be hoped that no city or town in America will be able to show a more unanimous wearing wear-ing of the poppy than Gunnison. Everyone can wear a poppy. The person who does not have a poppy on his lapel on "Poppy day" gives evidences that he no longer remembers remem-bers or honors the" deeds of the war dead and has no interest in the welfare wel-fare of the disabled veterans, their families and the families of the dead. Let us pray that we have no such persons in Gunnison. The women of the American Le gion Auxiliary who will be on the streets with the poppies on "Poppy day," in reality do not sell the flowers. flow-ers. They offer the poppies to everyone every-one who wishes to honor the dead in an exchange for a contribution to help the living. No price is fixed for these little flowers shaped by the patient hands of disabled veterans. And every penny of the money which goes into those coin boxes will ccme out in service to needy disabled men and their families during the' coming year. The bulk of the money' will be expended right here in our own city by our own Legionnaires and Auxiliary women who, because of their intimate knowledge of the ! veterans to be aided and the volun- j teer character of their service, will make it go farther than almost any other charitable contributions. Paying honor to the men who have d;ed for the country should be a natural nat-ural impulse with every patriotic American. Helping better the lot of the war's victims is an obligation upon all of us. We can do both by wearing the Legion and Auxiliary poppy on "Poppy day." |
