Foos: A Memorial Day tribute from Legion Post 17

The American Legion Post 17 family of Lewes hopes that each of you will take a moment in your heart for the parents, siblings, spouses and friends of those who served. We at Post 17 can’t help but think of all the men and women who have gone to fight for this great nation and didn’t return home. We especially pay tribute to our local veterans and their families and friends.

Memorial Day weekend is when Americans set aside time to honor those brave men and women who met tragic ends while defending our freedom. It is our duty to honor their sacrifices, to pray for their families and to bow our heads in recognition of their service.

Please also bow your head and place your hand over your heart whenever you see a prisoner of war/missing in action table or flag. Those sorrows are deep and always present. Learn more about Gold Star families and mothers.

This year, there are poppy field “cemeteries” created in Lewes, one at Post 17 and another at the lighthouse triangle as you enter Lewes or head to the ferry and state park. The banners, placed with crosses and poppies in the grassy lawn, will remind everyone to take a pause, bow a head and remember. Our poppy program is underway, and we hope everyone will learn the “In Flanders Fields” poem and share it with a child. We hope you will get your own poppy and make a donation, so our programs to veterans and active military can continue. We will never forget.

National Poppy Day is Friday. Wear red, get your poppies from Post 17 and come place an “in memory” note (provided at the post fence) in our front lawn in remembrance of any soldier you have lost.

The poppy, which bloomed on the battlefields of France and Belgium after World War I, has grown to become an internationally known and recognized symbol of the lives sacrificed in war and the hope that none died in vain.

We will pay tribute to Memorial Day 2024 on Monday, with a veterans parade at 11 a.m. in Lewes and a tribute ceremony at Post 17 at 1 p.m. All are welcome to line the Lewes streets for the parade and join us for the tribute ceremony.

Please make sure you get a poppy and give a donation, so we can continue to serve the veterans and active military, as they need us.

We ask that you educate someone about the poppy first, then that you take a pause on Memorial Day, face an American flag wherever you may be, place hand over heart and say with gratitude and pride, “Thank you for your service.”

Murt Foos

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 17

Lewes

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.