05/21/2026
I bought one of these yesterday. Why a poppy? I have a few big reasons. I haven't missed a year with a poppy since my mother and I first sold them together when I was about two years old. (A long time ago, let's say.) After I bought it from a Vietnam Vet and spent a moment telling him about my Mom and Dad who both served in WWII, while my Dad served again in Korea, and he tipped his hat and said, "not too many of those any more!" I told him, "Thank you for your service," and I had to run out of the supermarket (they let him sit inside this year due to the oppressive heat outside) to have my yearly ugly cry remembrance moment. It lasts only a few minutes--my Dad and Mom both survived, but the fear and loneliness we all experienced then left invisible scars. There's something about grieving that knows when to press your buttons. I hope you get your poppy. There's a war going on, folks, and the men and women "over there" need our support. People will come home with injuries we can't see, and the follow-up care is expensive. I hope there comes a time when a toddler doesn't have to learn the word, "war." Until then, please know that no matter how you feel about war, the poppy sellers help fund support services for vets, and your donation helps a veteran have a good day. Happy Memorial Day, in memory of my parents and their brothers and many cousins who made the sacrifice to defend democracy.
