American Legion Auxiliary gives thanks

Left to right Rosemarie Ripi, Ann Piazza, Margie Di Tommaso, Betty Ann Karpf, Arleen Garth Affner, Marie Ingoglia, Tina Cashetta, Jean Aniano, Frank Capone, Rosemarie Carrollo and Diane Volpe.

Courtesy William Carrollo

The american legion AUXILIARY gave out these poppies.

Courtesy American Legion Auxiliary

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Officers and members of American Legion Auxiliary Post 1029 in Island Park presented a plaque to Costello’s Ace Hardware in appreciation for allowing the Auxiliary to conduct its annual Poppy Fundraiser in front of the store for the past few years.

Accepting the award is manager Frank Capone.

According to the American Legion the poppy flower covered the fields of Flanders in France during World War I, and was looked upon as a symbol of those who sacrificed all. In 1920, after the war, the poppy became the official flower of the Legion and the distribution of poppies became a Legion program in 1924. The Legion Auxiliary has made the poppy a nationally recognized symbol.

Millions of the crepe paper flowers are handed out, raising $2 million a year.

Until recently, 100 percent of funds from the sale of poppies went toward assisting disabled and hospitalized veterans. Due to the mounting needs of active-duty service members, a new resolution was passed during the Legion’s recent National Executive Committee Meetings to allow donations collected as of May 9, 2013, to not only assist veterans, but also active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs.

The Legion raises awareness about its Poppy Program year-round, but distribution of poppies is mostly around Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Poppies are available at various locations, such as outside the Ace Hardware or other neighborhood store, at a parade or the post office or by mail.

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