American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Chairperson Mary Jane Pozarycki shows Auxiliary President Amanda Trail and Auxiliary member Alice Fariello how to create poppies at a recent Auxiliary meeting in Neptune.
By DENISE HERSCHEL
If you got to the American Legion Post 346 in Neptune on most Wednesday mornings, you will find the Poppy Gals in action. Delicately using their fine motor skills to assemble parts of the red poppy, these eight women who are Legion Auxiliary 346 members, sit around a large round table, chatting about their lives, legion events and making poppies.
The Friday before Memorial Day is National Poppy Day and the paper poppies are given out when donations are given to support the future of veterans, active duty military personnel and their families.
This year’s National Poppy Day is on May 24 and according to Mary Jane Pozarycki, poppy chairperson for the auxiliary, Poppy Day has been sponsored by the Auxiliary for over 100 years “to remind Americans that millions have sacrificed their lives and health to keep our nation safe and free.”
“The Poppy which grew wild on the battlefields of Flanders, became in the minds of the Doughboys of WWl, a symbol of sacrifice,” Pozarycki said.
She said the flower had flourished among the shelled out buildings and bomb-scarred landscape and became a sign of hope and renewal for those who lived and walked away.
The women meet year round, except holidays, to make approximately 200 poppies a week with approximately 8,000 to 10,000 created in a year.
The eight women have an assembly line system in place as well as a veteran who makes them at home and two other members who take parts of the poppies home and work on them when they can.
Pozarycki, who has been poppy chairperson for the last seven years, said that there are other veterans organizations who distribute poppies as well, all for the benefit of veterans. The auxiliary sets up a table at the Shoprite in Belmar a week prior to Memorial Day to distribute the poppies.
“People donate whatever they want. Veterans are the most generous as they know and appreciate that 100 percent of donations go to help veterans. We have donated to Rebuilding Warriors, we have sent care packages to active duty military, have hosted bingo at veterans homes and bought computers,” she said. “The Memorial Poppy contributions are devoted entirely to rehabilitation and assistance for veterans and their families.”
The Legion Auxiliary has Poppy donation cans in several local businesses including John’s Cracker Barrel in Neptune, Belmar Town Pharmacy, Bruno’s in Neptune City, Danny’s Place in Wanamassa, Formula II in Neptune City, Hole in One Bagels in Neptune, Stewart’s Hardware in Bradley Beach and the Neptune City Library and Neptune City Community Center. The Asbury Park-Wall Elks also supports the cause.
To learn more about the Poppy program email mcecaux@gmail.com
