Poppies represent blood of soldiers

I am a member of the VFW and was asked to help sell poppies for Memorial Day. I agreed as I have in past years. On Friday I stood by our main post office from 8 a.m. to noon and on Saturday by a Wal-Mart store from 8 a.m. to noon with my wife assisting me. My wife stood by the entrance door, while I stood by the exit door.

The one thing we both noticed was people's attitudes. Some with a smile and "Good morning," others glum, as if they were carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Most old-timers, both men and women of the World War II era, even if they may have not been veterans, gave with a smile. A number of teenagers asked me what the poppies are for. I would try to explain, but they would look at me with a smirk and walk away. Women with their young children would walk up, put money in the container and their children would ask their mother, "what are the little flowers for?" Some of the mothers did not answer and some could not, because they may have not known themselves.

It is a sad commentary on our society. Every family should make it their business to know the meaning of poppies.

Their origin is the terrible battle of Flanders in France in World War I, where the field was saturated with blood of thousands of soldiers. They gave their lives so that we may have a better existence. The poppies are a reminder of those who fought and died in all our wars that they did not die in vain. The money collected from the sale of poppies is used for veteran programs.

Arthur L. Andre

St. Charles