Poppy-ing with Gratitude

Veterans are respected men and women that formerly served in the armed forces. Each year we honor these heroes nationally on November 11th. Here in Lincoln, there are about 13,000 veterans, but nationally the number is around 17 million.

For Veterans Day this year, TeamMates matches made Poppy Cards to show support for veterans and active military. But why a poppy? Poppy seeds lay dormant underground until soil is disturbed, so oftentimes the red poppy bloomed naturally across battlefields. This flower is used today as a symbol of hope for a peaceful future. 

Both the Blue Star Mothers of America and the Lincoln Veterans Parade are organizations in the Lincoln community that strive to support those still serving, honor those who have served, and remember those whose impact lives on. 

Blue Star Mothers are mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and guardians that send care packages to deployed troops and provide resources for veterans back home in America. The Lincoln Veterans Parade celebrates veterans in our community and honors their sacrifices by hosting a parade each November. This year’s parade will be held on Sunday November 15th.

Thank you to the matches that made a Poppy Card to show thanks to our Veterans! Around 200 cards will be given out to heroes in our community.

Another project these organizations like to do is to send care packages abroad to our troops and an essential items in those packages are coloring pages. If you and your TeamMate are interested in coloring pages for care packages, please download the sheets below and drop them off to the District Office (5905 E O Street) when complete!