Volunteers will be at several places in Delano, including the Crossings area and Delano Post Office, Friday, May 14 offering poppies, in hopes that everyone will wear one to honor military veterans.
History of Poppy Day
A bloody battle was fought during World War I in a region called Flanders. The area in France was completely devastated.
In the spring of 1919, the poppies still bloomed among the ruins and where the men had fallen in battle.
The memory that the soldiers brought home was that of the poppies blooming in the field of blood.
The poppy became a symbol of sacrifice of lives during the war and represented the hope that none had died in vain.
A poem was written about the battle in Flanders Fields and the poppy by Col. John McRae in 1915.
“In Flander’s fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place . . .
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch – be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep . . .”
One of the original poppy supporters, Moina Michael, was so moved by the poem that she wrote a response:
“. . . the blood of heroes never dies
But lends a luster to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flander’s field.”
At the national convention of the American Legion in Cleveland Sept. 27-29, 1920, it was resolved to adopt the poppy as the American Legion’s Memorial Flower. The American Legion was the first national organization to adopt the poppy.
In October 1921, at the organizing convention of the American Legion Auxiliary, the poppy was adopted as its Memorial Flower.
At that time, the Auxiliary pledged 100 percent of the profits from the poppy distribution to be used for servicemen and servicewomen and their families.
More than 25,000,000 poppies are made by the veterans and distributed by the American Legion Auxiliary each year.

The American Red Cross bloodmobile will be at the American Legion Club in Delano Monday, May 24 from 1 to 7 p.m.
The theme for this blood drive is “Observe Memorial Day and Donate Blood through the American Red Cross.”
The American Red Cross encourages Americans to observe Memorial Day, a day to honor those who died serving our country, by donating blood.
Organizers are always looking for new donors or donors who have not given for awhile.
It’s easy and convenient to give blood – it only takes about an hour. Donors will be helping to ensure that blood is there when they or someone close to them may need it.
Most people don’t think they’ll ever need blood, but many do. Donors may give a newborn, a child, a mother or a father, a brother, or a sister another chance at life. In fact, a donor may help save up to three lives with just one donation.
Sixteen-year-olds may now donate blood. Parents must sign a consent form, prior to the 16-year-old donating. The signed form must be brought to the blood drive the day of the event. Call (763) 972-6270 to receive the form and other important information about donating blood.
Donors who have had cancer may be eligible to donate again. The guidelines state that at least one year must have passed since the donor’s last cancer treatment. Donors must be reinstated before they will be eligible to participate in the May 24 blood drive.
Donors are encouraged to make an appointment on the American Red Cross web site. Search for the Delano blood drive at midamericadiv@membersforlife.org, or call Mary at (763) 972-6270 to schedule an appointment.

The library branches in Delano, Howard Lake, and Cokato recently took part in the Great River Regional Library (GRRL) High $5 fundraising campaign in March, which raised $14,136.
Donations to the High $5 campaign are used to support library services.
Twenty-two of the 32 branches in GRRL met a donations goal, based on 2 percent of their March checkout sessions.
All of those branches will receive 50 percent of the funds raised at their branch to meet local needs, such as summer reading program prize incentives, program performers, and furnishings.
The remaining funds raised in High $5 may be used by the regional library system for books, databases, or other needs.
The Delano Public Library had the highest number of actual gifts, with 184, totaling $1,570.
Other area libraries included Cokato, with 18 gifts totaling $249; Howard Lake, with 17 gifts totaling $96; Kimball, with eight gifts totaling $55; and Rockford, with 34 gifts totaling $300.20.
The High $5 campaign was initiated in 2005 as an easy and inexpensive way for library users to show their support. Five dollars was chosen as the entry-level donation, because users, on average, checked out five items per visit.