Libby Legion Auxiliary gearing up for Poppy Day, Memorial Day events

The American Legion Auxiliary Austin Reedy Unit #97 will be conducting its annual Memorial Poppy Distribution Day Saturday, May 16. 

Connecting the visual image of the poppy with the sacrifice of service made by our veterans has been an important goal of the American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Program since its inception in 1921. 

On Memorial Day and Veterans Day, millions of red crepe paper poppies are distributed across the country in exchange for donations that go directly to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in our communities.

Auxiliary volunteers will be distributing poppies from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ace Hardware, Empire Foods, Family Dollar, Rosauer’s and Save Rite (west).

At 1 p.m. Saturday, May 23, the annual Angel Dedication ceremony will take place at Libby Cemetery, located at 1004 Treasure Avenue. 

The ceremony includes live music by Libby Strings and Things featuring musicians Edwina Smith, Patty Burlingame and Kathy Powers. 

Also, there will be a prayer, keynote address by Auxiliary Scholarship recipient Ashley Cockerham of Libby High School, reading of a Proclamation by Mayor Hugh Taylor and the placing of Memorial wreaths at the Angel by American Legion Auxiliary Chaplain Cathy Neff and Adrene Adams representing Gold Star Families. 

The public is invited to lay flowers or wreaths as well. The ceremony concludes with the playing of Taps.