On May 24, pay tribute to fallen warriors and today’s military and veterans by proudly wearing a poppy

The American Legion Family will commemorate the third annual National Poppy Day® – held the Friday before Memorial Day – this Friday, May 24.

We’ve come a long way since The American Legion Family adopted the poppy as its memorial flower in the early 1920s. Since then, the blood-red icon has become an enduring symbol of honor for the sacrifices of our veterans from the battlefields of Europe in World War I to today’s global war on terror. In 2016, both The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary passed resolutions in support of declaring the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day. The American Legion Auxiliary raises nearly $4 million each year distributing poppies throughout the nation, with 100 percent of the funds raised going directly to help veterans, active-duty military, and their families.

With YOUR help, support of National Poppy Day can grow even stronger! Donate to your local ALA unit when you see members distributing poppies in your community, contact your local media and share with them the significance of the poppy and National Poppy Day, or simply wear a poppy in remembrance of those who fought and died for our freedom and those still protecting it today. However you decide to honor our veterans and military, your participation is critical to ensure National Poppy Day is a success this year and every year.

Posting poppy activities on social media? Be sure to tag each post and photo using #PoppyDay and #LegionFamily! Your posts may be featured in national ALA media.

Learn more about National Poppy Day and discover ways to get involved here.