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AUGUST 4, 197$ - PLAINDEALER CENTENNIAL EDITION-PAGE i Unite For Poppy Day Sale PJfcST <q! w r ? I C A i W W mMrnrn WmM\m OTIIIIm; mmm r mm! • if m m K3J£ VSKXmmm rnkmi MWZtigqi?s One of the most important projects undertaken jointly by the chairman for the Legion auxiliary; Clifford "Ty" Behrens, Legion and V.F.W. posts and auxiliaries is the annual sale of commander of Legion Post 491; Terrv Amore. V.F.W* Poppy Poppies. The 1975 sale was held May 17, and Mayor Joseph Stanek chairman; Renee Jende, V.F.W. auxiliary Poppy chairman, and makes the first contribution above. From left are Lloyd T. Ila Hogan, V.F.W. auxiliary Poppy co-chairman. Wehrheim, Poppy chairman for the Legion; Dorothy Messer, STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD AMERICAN LEGION HOME Each year, prior to Memorial day, millions ofAmericanswear little red poppies in memory of those men who died in Flanders field and throughout World Wars I, II, Korean and Vietnam conflicts. The "Buddy" Poppy is offered by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the "Memorial' Poppy is offered by the American Legion. All through the winter months, these bright red flowers are manufactured by disabled veterans in hospitals all over the country. The poppy was first chosen as the nation's flower to be worn in memory of the men who lost their lives in World War I. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States was the first organization to promote a nation-wide sale of poppies made by disabled and needy veterans. To sub­ stantiate " this claim, the following chronological and documentary information is breifly outlined: In 1921, the Franco-American Children's league conducted a nation-wide sale of Poppies made in France, for the benefit of children in the war-torn areas of France and Belgium. The inspiration came from Col. John McCrae's poem, "In Flanders Fields." In October, 1921, the American Legion, at its con­ vention in Kansas city, repudiated its action of 1920 in choosing the Poppy as its of­ ficial flower, and substituted the Daisy. In May, 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States conducted a nation-wide sale of Poppies made in France. This was after the dissolution of the Franco- American league, and in response to an appeal by Madam Guerin, "the Poppy lady from France." In October, 1922, following the first nation-wide sale of Poppies by the V.F.W., the American Legion convention repudiated the Daisy as its offical flower and again adopted the Poppy. In the Spring of 1923, the American Legion conducted its first nation-wide sale of Poppies made by a French manufac­ turer. In 1923, the Veterans of Foreign Wars evolved the idea which resulted in the V.F.W. "Buddy" Poppy. In February, 1924, the V.F.W. registered the name "Buddy" Poppy with the U.S. Patent office, and still holds all trademark rights in the name "Buddy" under the (Continued from page 4) "Voice of Democracy" essay contcst was Janice Sturna. While Genevieve Bradley was still president the an­ nouncement was made that the "Community Service" entry had placed eighth in the Fifth district competition. Jean Wiles took office . as president in June, 1965. The purchase of a hospital type bed was undertaken at this time, adding to the increasing supply of rehabilitation items the post and auxiliary made available to the public on a loan basis. Other items that had been purchased prior to the bed were crutches, canes and wheel chairs. . The April, 1966, election of officers resulted in Jean Wiles succeeding herself as president, serving her second term. The new officers took office at the July meeting, Ethel Groth presided, having been elected to the office of president in April. 1967. The April, 1968, election of officers gave the office of president to June Schmunk. A nursing scholarship for a three year period in the amount of $150 per year was given to a prospective nurse in the McHenry area. Support was given to the Devilaires all-girl rifle team sponsored locally by the post and auxiliary. The election of officers held in April, 1969, resulted in June Schmunk succeeding herself as president for the following year. The July. 1970, meeting was presided over bv Gerry Kuck, having been elected to the office of president at the April meeting. Entering in competition with other auxiliaries in the Fifth district of the V.F.W. auxiliary, the book entered by Chairman Gerry Kuck took First place. The post and auxiliary were host and hostess to thirty-seven patients at Downey veterans' hospital. The occasion was a dinner which followed a circus performance on the V.F.W. grounds. During the year 1970, some of the members were the recipients of recognition for hours donated to Downey Veterans hospital. The were Ethel Hagberg for 15< hours and Alyce Kowal for 1,000 hours. Hospital Chairman Mary Kuemmel earned a 500-hour pin for the time she had donated to Downey Veterans' hospital. classification of artificial flowers. Since May, 1924, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has annually conducted a "Buddy" Poppy sale. This May 17 in McHenry, whether one receives a "Buddy" Poppy or a "Memorial" Poppy, the buyer will know it has been made by a hospitalized veteran. Members of both V.F.W. and auxiliary and the American Legion and auxiliary will be volunteering their time on Saturday, so smile when approached to buy a Poppy. Legion Post Has Proud Place Of Leadership On Nov. 18, 1918, an Armistice was declared to end World War I. Even before peace was firmly established, the doughboys were in the process of forming the American Legion. Post 491 can be proud of the fact that its fifth commander, Jack Worth, was the recording secretary at the original caucus of the American Legion in Paris, France. Post 491 was organized in 1919. The first election of officers was held at the McHenry citv hall. The first commander was A1 Pouse and C.J. Reihansperger was adjutant. World War I veterans always were and still are a close-knit group. The first regular meeting place was in the basement of Stoffel's hall in West McHenry. (Continued on page 6) Election of officers took place at the April meeting, when Mary Kuemmel was elected to the office ol president for the year 1971. Two of the members were honored at the meeting held March 20, 1972. Presented with continuous membership pins were Marge Moreth, auxiliary treasured who received a 45- year pin, and Pearl Saunders, who received a 30-year pin. In April of 1972 the results of the election of officers resulted in Ila Hogan being elected to the office of president. The auxiliary sponsored the daughter of a member when she participated in the "March for Hunger". Judy Abbink was able to give over $30 for this march. Membership and Cancer Chairman Marge Moreth had earned awards in both categories and received them at the state convention in June of 1972. Marge had also received a plaque for mem­ bership from the Fifth district of the V.F.W. In March of 1973, Dora Krocker was presented a pin for having donated 1,000 hours at Downey Veterans' hospital. The April, 1973 election of officers resulted in Helen Spoolstra being elected for the office of president. Under ^the rehabilitation program on June 12, 1973, the Downey hospital volunteers and other members of the auxiliary entertained patients from the hospital with a lunch and then were taken to the John Hogan farm for a tour of the premises. Fifth district awards and citations were received by the auxiliary for participating in the cancer program, United States savings bond program and for outstanding par­ ticipation in the "Poppy" program. April, 1974, election of of­ ficers gave the office of president to Lucille Garifi. Publicity Chairman Gerry Kuck entered the publicity competition with her clippings book and received a*thir,d place in the Fifth district com­ petition. In 1975 the auxiliary con­ tinues supporting community projects. There are members who regularly donate time as volunteers at Downey Veterans' hospital. The National home is continually remembered as are other organizations not connected with the Veterans of Foreign Wars or its Ladies auxiliary. McHENRY COUNTY'S MOST COMPLETE & VERSATILE SOUND STUDIO Featuring Pioneer - Dual - Ultralinear - Realistic and Utah Components CRYSTAL LAKE y\J*m McHenry County's HEADQUARTERS For ELECTRONICS and SOUND 1971. 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