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LOOKING AT A
POPPY WINDOW
By VIRGINIA MARTIN
Poppy Day is just around the
corner—May 29 this year—so
once again we are telling that fas
cinating story of the little red
poppy to millions of people in
this great country of ours.
Recently, as I paused to look at
a window display in one of the
main stores of my town, I saw
the principal object of display
was the American Legion Auxil
iary poppy. Standing there, my
thoughts turned again to all those
sacrifices that have made life so
free and enjoyable for me.
I saw before me small white
crosses, row on row, where fields
of poppies were blooming. My
heart was grateful that we honor
those fallen heroes in this special
way, paying homage to them each
year by wearing this beloved little
red flower.
Then I thought of those who
did not die—those who came back
doomed to years of hardships and
suffering, which sometimes is
worse than death. I remembered
a young man I had seen on a re
cent visit to our veterans hospital.
He was lying flat on his back,
his hands held high busy twisting
bright red paper petals, and a
song on his lips said: “I am happy
there is work for me to do.”
Another patient in a wheelchair
could not speak and his leg was
gone, but his fingers were flying.
I knew his thoughts were of loved
ones and the money he could send
home, as he fashioned each flower.
A tug at my sleeve brought my
thoughts back from the hospital.
Looking down, I saw a little fel
low wearing glasses and recog
nized him as a child whom the
Auxiliarry had helped when his
eyes needed attention. He said:
“Thank you, lady, for making me
see better.”
His mother had told him about
the magic flower, the poppy, and
how all the money contributed on
Poppy Day is used to help the
disabled veteran—to help them
get back on their feet physically,
mentally and financially—and to
help veterans’ children when they
are in need.
My heart was thankful for the
poppy and the many wonderful
things it makes possible.
DIRECTORY
ROTARY CLUB
Ben Young, Pres.
Joe Kroninger, Sec.
Thursday Luncheon
Northwestern Alaska
Chamber of Commerce
EVERY TUESDAY NOON
BOYD HARWOOD, President
ALASKA CHAPTER NO 1
Order of Eastern Star
Meets the third Monday of each month,
Jane Perkins
Worthy Matron
Evelyn Branson ‘" ,, "~*
Secretary V
LESLIE A. STEVENS
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
—4t>6 First Ave. West, Nome, Alaska
10 to i2 A.M. - 1 to 5 P.m.
Phone Main 82 — P.O. Box 208
ANVIL LOD^V
No 14tf
John Cooley, W.M.
Norvin W. Lewis. Secy
Meets 1st and 3rd Thursday each month.