May 20, 2022 Newsletter.

Special Memorial Day Weekend Edition, May 20, 2022.

May 27, National Poppy Day: Honor the fallen and support the living. The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since WWI to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. In the battlefields of Belgium and elsewhere during World War I, poppies grew wild amid the ravages of war. Wear a red poppy to honor and remember.

May 28 and 29, Get your Remembrance Poppy: Members of The American Legion Auxiliary have been distributing the remembrance poppy to the public for 103 years. That tradition continues as members of our very own Auxiliary Unit faithfully distribute poppies throughout the local community. The poppy is a source of financial and therapeutic benefit to the hospitalized and disabled veterans who construct them by hand, as well as benefiting thousands of other veterans and their families by the appreciated, but not required, donations. The Unit members will distribute Poppies Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, 9 am to 3 pm each day at the two Fry’s Food Stores in Oro Valley. Store locations: 10661 N. Oracle Rd. (Oracle and 1^st Ave) and 10450 N. La Canada Dr. Stop by, say hello and get your poppy. Donations to The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 132 are tax-deductible. For additional information: ovunit132@gmail.com, http://www.ovunit132.info, or contact Ms. Onita Davis at 520-229-1064. If you wish to mail a donation, make a check payable to ALA OV Unit 132, and mail it to ALA OV Unit 132, PO Box 69246, Oro Valley AZ, 85737. On the memo line enter “Poppy Fund”.

The presence of Post members during the distribution of poppies has proven to make a huge difference in the way in which the public responds so if you are interested in volunteering a little of your time to help the Auxiliary members, sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4BABAE2DA2F58-2022 or see aforementioned contact information.

Memorial Day events at *local* cemeteries:

Evergreen Cemetery: (3015 N. Oracle Rd at Ft. Lowell Rd) Saturday, May 28 at 8am, placing of several thousand flags at interment sites of veterans. Public welcome to help place the flags. Youth encouraged to participate. Monday, May 30 at 5pm, retrieval of the flags. Volunteers needed. Monday, May 30 at 9am, official Memorial Day service. Post 132 Honor Guard will participate. Public welcome. POC: Abe Rodrigues 520-404-4286.

Arizona State Veterans Memorial Cemetery-Marana: (15950 N. Luckett Rd in Marana) Friday, May 27 at 8am, placing of several thousand flags. Public welcome to help place the flags. Youth encouraged to participate. Monday, May 30 at 8am, official Memorial Day service. Post 132 Honor Guard will post colors, fold flag, play TAPS and perform riffle volley. Public welcome.

Annual National Memorial Day Concert: Sunday, May 29, 8 pm ET on PBS. Featuring a tribute to our American heroes. Hosted by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award-winning actor Gary Sinise. The pre-taped 90-minute presentation of the 33rd annual concert honors men and women in uniform, their families at home, and all those who have given their lives for the country. Watch the broadcast at www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/home/.