National Poppy Day 2018
The tradition of wearing a poppy dates back to 1920, when it became the memorial flower of The American Legion Family.
The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed by those who fought and those who continue to fight for our country following World War I. It was popularized by the publication of the wartime poem In Flanders Fields. Written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. while serving on the front lines in World War I, the poem honors soldiers killed in battle.
The American Legion led the charge of having Congress designate the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day®, a tradition found in many countries around the world. National Poppy Day® encourages all Americans to wear a red poppy to honor the fallen and support the living heroes who have worn our nation’s uniform.
Field of Flags 2018
There will be a ground-breaking and commemorative ceremony for the North Merrick Field of Flags on Thursday, May 17, 2018, at 3:15 pm at the Harold D. Fayette School, 1057 Merrick Avenue. After the short ceremony, boy scouts and girl scout volunteers will help to put up the flags. There will be 100 flags all together.
North Merrick School District would like very much for the American Legion Post 1282 to participate in the ceremony and give a brief speech to commemorate the flags being sponsored in honor of loved ones who served. The flags will fly through Memorial Day and Flag Day until the end of the school year.
In Memoriam - Ralph M. Koos
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| Ralph M. Koos |
| January 15, 1928 - February 22, 2018 |
On Thursday, February 22, 2018, Post member, Ralph M. Koos, reported to Post Everlasting. Before his wife, Bertha Koos, became ill, you count on Ralph Koos to show up at the Post meetings every 4th monday of the month at our Post. Ralph and Bertha were a regular couple at our Post functions and parties. Ralph was a devoted husband to his wife Betha Koos and took care of her through her illness. Bertha Koos passed away 1 day before Ralph Koos reported to Post Everlasting. They were truly in love with each other. Ralph was also was an usher at the Cure of Ars Church Roman Catholic Church in Merrick. On Saturday evenings, at the 5:00 p.m. Mass, you would find Ralph ushering at the church and you could also find Bertha Koos sitting in the pews there also at the church. Ralph will be missed!!!
Merrick Post No. 1282, American Legion, members will be holding their solemn ceremony for Post Member, Ralph Koos, they are going to meet at N. F. Walker's Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. for a 7:00 p.m. American Legion ceremony. N. F. Walker's Funeral Home is located at 2039 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, New York. For more information call the Post phone at 516-521-6989 or the Funeral Home at 516-378-0303.
Four Chaplains Ceremony 2018
The Four Chaplains Ceremony for 2018 will take place at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Malverne. Our Lady of Lourdes is located at 65 Wright Avenue, Malverne New York 11565. Phone #: 516-599-1269. It will be the first Sunday in February, which is the 4th. You have to be there at 1:30 pm. The ceremony starts at 2:00 pm.
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