From the American Legion:

“This year, for the first time, we are elevating the commemorations to include National Poppy Day™.

Last fall, the Legion’s National Executive Committee approved a resolution in support of declaring the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day. The American Legion has worked with the American Legion Auxiliary in support of the Poppy Program for many years. With the creation of National Poppy Day, this support can grow – but we need your support.

In an effort to bring greater attention to the symbolism of the poppy, we are working on a national effort to increase awareness and encourage community participation on May 26, 2017 – National Poppy Day. “

Click here for more information from the Legion, and click here for the history of the Memorial (or Remembrance) Poppy.

 

James (“Jim”) Patton BS BA MPA is a retired state official from Shawnee, Kansas and a frequent contributor to several WW1 e-publications, including "Roads to the Great War," "St. Mihiel Tripwire," "Over the Top" and "Medicine in the First World War." He has spent many hours walking the WW1 battlefields, and is also an authority on British regiments and a collector of their badges. An Army Engineer during the Vietnam War, he does work for the US World War 1 Centennial Commission and is affiliated with the WW1 Historical Association, the Western Front Association, the Salonika Campaign Society and the Gallipoli Association.