Page 4 University Daily Kansan Wednesday, May 21, 1952
Buddy Poppy Day, Saturday, May 24 is your opportunity to help those disabled and rendered needy in past wars. Made by disabled veterans, as part of an occupational therapy program, proceeds from Buddy Poppy sales are our way of thanking those who sacrificed so much. Won't you please help, too!
This Page Donated By
- ALLISON-THOMAS FLOWER SHOP
COMMONWEALTH-LAWRENCE THEATERS GRANADA—NEW PATEE—DRIVE-IN
HOLT PHARMACY
HUTSON'S ELDRIDGE HOTEL and COFEEE SHOP
KANSAS PUBLIC SERVICE CO., INC.
MALLOTT'S HARDWARE
MORGAN-MACK MOTOR CO.
RAPID TRANSIT
RUSTY'S FOOD MARKET—DOWNTOWN
THE UNIVERSITY SHOP
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
In Flanders Field The Poppys
By TRUMAN SNOWDEN
FLANDERS, FRANCE, May 21. Every year near this date that I write, thousands of people return to this valley of red; not particularly a person, but rather in thought. Here is probably the biggest living memorial to honor any man, yet it was conceived and cared for by nature. Stones, bells, or statues can never tell the story so well.
During the great World War I the vast land of Europe was covered with the blood of foreigners, men who were out of place in this ancient land filled with dates that are beyond written record. Here these men from a new world fought to preserve and make history, vet there was no returning to their homes, and no place where they were to rest.
On the French-Belgium border, fronted by the North Sea, there was an over abundance of these bodies, and the farmers of that area realized there was a need to give these young heroes a small share of the land to call their own. A field in Flanders was chosen and there they dug neat and orderly graves with headstones of wooden crosses.
of volcanoes.
We're seeing all this, realized that this lonely field should have more than just its crosses to bear, so she throw down the seeds of the wild poppy . . . to cover the field with the scentless blood red flower. World War II proved natures warning was not heeded, and many more crosses were added to the already overburdened field.
Yet nature has not been completely wronged, for the poppy has not become the symbol to honor the dead as it helps the living.
Following the war the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion began selling paper poppies during the year to collect money for the orphans and widows of the men killed in the war, as well as using the money to help rehabilitate disabled veterans. In 1922 a certain day was set aside for the national sale of poppies, as has been done ever since.
Saturday, May 24, members of the Lawrence Veterans of Foreign Wars units and the American Legion Auxiliary will be on the campus and in downtown Lawrence with the poppies. The poppies they hold are for you, and your donation to them is entirely up to you.
As has been the custom in past years, the two groups have purchased the poppies from the Disabled American Veterans. The poppies, were made by disabled veterans in veterans hospitals, and the proceeds go to helping them through the many years of prolonged recovery. The money received from poppy sales by the Lawrence VFW and Legion Auxiliary will go in its entirety to widows and orphans of men who have died in foreign lands, and to the VFW orphanage at Eaton Rapids, Michigan.
Yes. "In Flanders field the popies . . . and all over the United States this Saturday, "the popies."
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