For years Kliss Sparks has been our "Poppy Lady". She has faithfully come to our home with handmade red paper poppies to raise money for Wyoming Veterans. There are two hospitals, one in Cheyenne and one in Sheridan.
For a long time, I would donate a dollar a poppy. I figured that was generous, considering the cost to make a paper poppy. From three kids to four, our donation increased...by a dollar. Then one day I was thinking about when my husband Brian's father died. It was sudden. It was sad. He was always very active in the American Legion. Brian's mother, and sister, were also very active in the American Legion Auxiliary. (And still are). A doctor donated some money to the American Legion in honor of Brian's dad, John, and it made me realize we could do the same, every year, at poppy time.
It's amazing how my appreciation for Poppy Week, as declared on an annual basis by the Cokeville Town Council as requested by the American Legion Auxiliary, has grown as we have come to understand the program and make donations towards the disabled vets who hand-make the poppies.
This morning, in the rain, Kliss knocked at our door, poppies in hand. I think back to when I donated a dollar per poppy, not because that was what we could afford but because I didn't understand the spirit behind the poppy sales. A dollar in the right spirit is awesome. The right understanding of Poppy Week is priceless.
Thanks to Kliss and all the other American Legion Auxiliary volunteers for their service and silent example in our community.
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