Park Rapids Legion Auxiliary sells plenty of poppies

The American Legion Auxiliary members have sold thousands of poppies over the years to benefit disabled or hospitalized veterans. From left, Katy Hochstatter, Paulette Lombard and Evie Hagen have many decades of service selling the crepe-paper flowers. The poppies are made at a vet center and can be the sole source of income for disabled veterans, along with funding special projects. Hochstatter is contemplating retiring as co-chair after 43 years. The poppies are exchanged for contributions. Last year the Park Rapids chapter raised $2,200. It was a tradition born out of the poppy fields of Belgium, in blood-red bloom during World War I. The poppy movement was inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," written by Lt. Col. John McCrae of the Canadian forces in 1915. Although Poppy Day was May 15 you can still purchase poppies at the American Legion.