Gear up for National Poppy Day

The American Legion Family has called upon Congress to designate May 26, 2017, as National Poppy Day to expand awareness and provide support everywhere for all who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces. View the pending legislation here.

In support of National Poppy Day, The American Legion encourages everyone to wear a poppy to honor those who have worn our nation's uniform. The Legion's National Poppy Day website at www.legion.org/poppyday provides quick access to the American Legion Emblem Sales “Poppy Shop,” which offers an assortment of items including the new National Poppy Day pin, kits for making lapel poppies for distribution, fundraising containers, charms, scarves and more.

To go directly to the Emblem Sale poppy merchandise page, click here.

Please keep in mind that in order to guarantee delivery before May 26, buyers must select an express shipping method. Additionally, orders placed on the following dates must choose the featured shipping method to guarantee delivery by May 25:

Monday, May 22 – three-day delivery

Tuesday, May 23 – two-day delivery

Wednesday, May 24 – next day delivery

The Legion's National Poppy Day website also offers multiple ways The American Legion Family can expand awareness locally and regionally. Under the heading “Get Involved” is a set of media tools and promotions that can be modified for local use, including press releases, sample social media posts and downloadable high-resolution graphics. The “History” section of the site has a full-color, downloadable poster featuring the poem “In Flanders Fields,” which led to the red poppy’s emergence as an international symbol of military sacrifice. Also through the website, National Poppy Day donors can make safe, secure contributions with their credit cards and dedicate their gifts to personally honor veterans now living or in memory of those who have passed. All donations directly support military veterans and families through American Legion programs.

American Legion Family members who plan poppy distributions and similar commemorations around May 26 and the week leading into Memorial Day are urged to use the hashtags #PoppyDay and #LegionFamily so activities can be shared on Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels.