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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Shortly after World War I, an amazing thing started to happen. Bright red poppies began to flourish in northern France and Belgium. lt seemed to be a mystery as to why these flowers would flourish so heavily after the war.
The soil was studied and analyzed by scientists and they attributed the growth to the soil having become enriched with lime from the rubble left behind by the war. During WWI the soldiers would dig latrines along the rear line and then heavily dose the surrounding area with quick-lime (calcium-oxide). As the troops moved around new trenches were dug and more was spread. lt was from this torn up dirt and mud that the beautiful red poppy began to grow.
The red poppy soon became a symbol of the blood shed and lives lost during battle. When a Canadian soldier, Lt. Co. John McCrae, M.D., saw the fields of red poppies growing among the destruction, he was so moved that he wrote a poem called "In Flanders Fields." This poem tells of the soldiers buried in Flanders Fields and how the poppies grow.
In September 1920, the poppy became the official flower of The American Legion. The flower was used by them to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during the war. By 1924, The American Legion poppy distribution became a national program. They asked Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day. Here in the United States, the American Legion asks that we all wear a red poppy on May 28, the Friday before Memorial Day, to honor the fallen and support our veterans.
Every year The American Legion holds their Poppy Sale. The funds raised by this program are used to support veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families who are in need of medical and/or financial need.
The American Legion Post 363 will start out the Poppy Sale event on May 21 through May 23 with representatives at Tadych's Family Market, Super One Foods, Walmart and Ace Hardware in Kingsford. Please take a moment and stop to get a poppy and help support the veterans and their families in our community.
VA CO-PAYMENTS
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 includes a provision for the Department of Veterans Affairs to waive all co-payments from April 6, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2021. What does this mean for veterans receiving care from the VA? You will not be required to pay any co-payments that would have been charged during the above listed timeframe. If you paid a co-payment to the VA for medical treatment or pharmacy services that co-pay will be reimbursed to you by the VA only for the time listed above. Please call 1-866-400-1238 to inquire when you will receive the reimbursement.
Do not contact your local VA regarding co-payments. This only includes co-payments that were due during the above times. If you have co-pays that were due before April 6, 2020, you are still liable for those payments for services rendered by the VA.
COVID-19 NEWS
Did you pay funeral costs after losing someone due to COVID-19? You may be able to get help with funeral assistance. To learn more, call 844-684-6333 or go online to https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance.
All veterans -- whether receiving VA care or not -- as well as their spouses and caregivers can now get COVID-19 vaccinations from the VA under the SAVE LIVES Act signed into law on March 24. To get an appointment, go to va.gov/healthcare to sign up for a vaccination.
Do you need help paying your utility bills? Help may be available to you through the THAW program. Call 1-800-866-8429 or go to THAWFUND.ORG/PROGRAMS for more information and to apply.
The Dickinson County Office of Veteran Affairs also has assistance available through the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund and the Soldier/Sailors Relief Fund for wartime veterans and funds available for non-wartime veterans through the Non-Wartime Veterans Fund. These programs are income and need based. Call our office at 906-774-2820 for further information.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 21-23 -- American Legion Poppy Sales fundraiser
May 31 -- Memorial Day Program at Dickinson County Courthouse, parade to start at 8:45 a.m. from East Ludington Street
June 19 -- U.P. Veterans War Memorial and Park Four-Person Golf Scramble, Oak Crest Golf Course, fundraiser for Veterans War Memorial and Park and the U.P. Honor Flight. Their office has applications.
Aug. 14 -- Dickinson County Veteran Appreciation Picnic at Lake Antoine Park. Mark your calendars now to attend.