Columbia Falls shoppers were greeted with a familiar sight on Friday — National Poppy Day — as members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 72 were on hand at Smith's Food and Drug to distribute poppy flowers and collect donations to honor fallen American service members.

Officially recognized by the U.S. government in 2017, National Poppy Day falls on the Friday before Memorial Day each year. The American Legion marks the occasion with efforts to support veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs.

According to the group's website, more than $5.5 million was raised from poppy donations in 2020, all of which was used to support active service members, veterans and their families.

Jill Rosenberry, president of Auxiliary Unit 72 in Columbia Falls, has handed out poppies alongside her mother since she was a child, and she looks forward to the ritual each year.

"I really do enjoy handing the poppies out and putting smiles on people's faces. It's a great way to remind people of the sacrifices our veterans have made to preserve our freedom," Rosenberry said. "We owe so much to our veterans, and we must never forget those who willingly served our nation and made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom."

THE HISTORY of National Poppy Day is rooted in the battlefields of Belgium during World War I. It was there, in December 1915, that a Canadian combat surgeon, Lt. Col. John McCrae, penned the famous poem "In Flanders Field" to channel his grief, moved by the sight of red flowers that sprang from the ground after the human conflict had quieted.

The poem is told from the perspective of the fallen soldiers who were buried beneath the flowers. Published in a London magazine shortly after it was written, "In Flanders Field" gained instant popularity and was read at countless memorial services, used in efforts to recruit soldiers and reprinted in numerous publications.

When University of Georgia professor Moina Michael came across the poem, she vowed to always wear a red poppy in remembrance of those lost at Flanders Field. And in 1920, she successfully lobbied Georgia's chapter of the American Legion to adopt the little red flower as a symbol of remembrance; the national organization quickly followed suit and adopted the flower Sept. 27, 1920.

SINCE THEN, the poppy has become a symbol of soldiers lost during World War I for many countries that were involved in the conflict. In the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand, observers wear poppies on Nov. 11 to commemorate the anniversary of the 1918 armistice that ended World War I, called Remembrance Day.

While some in the United States wear poppies as the nation celebrates Veterans Day each Nov. 11, the symbol is generally reserved for Memorial Day to honor those who have died fighting for their country.

The American Legion Auxiliary raises money on National Poppy Day to fund its outreach services, including a program that helps hospitalized and disabled veterans handcraft many of the red, crepe-paper flowers that are handed out each year for both therapeutic and financial benefit.

Reporter Jeremy Weber may be reached at 406-758-4446 or jweber@dailyinterlake.com.