Mayor Proclaims May 5-7 as "Poppy Days"

From May 5-7, members of —the veterans hall in Maplewood—will be stationed across the city as they seek donations for a program that raises money for disabled war veterans.

The three days are known as Poppy Days. Members will be camped at , , and , where they'll sell red poppy flowers to honor fallen veterans.

Mayor James White proclaimed the days as "Poppy Days in the City of Maplewood" during a city council meeting on Tuesday night. In the proclamation, he explained that the red poppy is a symbol of sacrifice of lives in wars. The full text is repeated below:

Whereas, America is the land of freedom, preserved and protected willingly and freely by citizen soldiers; and

Whereas, millions who have answered the call to arms have died on the field of battle; and

Whereas, a nation at peace must be reminded of the price of war and the debt owed to those who have died in war; and

Whereas, the red poppy has been designated as a symbol of sacrifice of lives in all wars; and

Whereas, the American Legion Auxiliary has pledged to remind America annually of this debt through the distribution of the memorial flower; and

Whereas, our community has a continued sense of gratitude to those disabled veterans who have given so much in the defense of the freedom which we continue to enjoy.

Now, therefore, I, James White, Mayor of the City of Maplewood, do hereby proclaim May 5, 6 and 7, 2011, as Poppy Days in the City of Maplewood and ask that all citizens pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom by wearing the Memorial Poppy on this day; and

Be it further resolved that I urge Maplewood citizens to show disabled veterans of America that they have not been forgetten for helping to preserve our freedom that we so cherish.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Seal of the City of Maplewood, Missouri, this 26th day of April, 2011.