On Nov. 11, the red paper poppy will be offered to the public by the American Legion Auxiliary. Members of the Fayetteville Unit 105 will ask the public to pause for a moment, pin on a poppy, and wear it with pride, remembering the civilian who took an oath to serve his country and gave his life for America.Funds collected on Poppy Day are used to assist veterans and their families in need. It is a self-help program, for the Auxiliary's familiar red poppy is hand made in Poppy Shops run by Auxiliary volunteers. In these shops, disabled and hospitalized veterans make the flowers by hand, petal by petal. It is part of a physical and psychological therapy program for veterans by veterans. These poppies are purchased from the shop by the Auxiliary and offered to the public, not at a price, but for contributions, a few cents to say America remembers.
This memorial flower was adopted by the American Legion Auxiliary in 1920 and since that time, programs have been conducted throughout the United States each year. Contributions made on Poppy Day are used by the local Unit to aid veterans in need throughout the state.