Over the past 40 years, Laurine Barnett has earned the nickname of the Poppy Lady.
The 93-year-old has been faithfully passing out red crepe paper flowers before each Memorial Day since 1977 to support the American Legion Auxiliary's poppy program.
Members of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 29 will be handing out poppies from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Atwoods, Harps, Tractor Supply, the Siloam Springs Post Office and Walmart Neighborhood Market. Barnett plans to be at her favorite location, the Post Office, handing out poppies from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
The American Legion Auxiliary's poppy program has spanned more than 90 years, according to the card handed out with the poppies. The poppies serve as a reminder of the millions of Americans who have sacrificed their lives and health for freedom. The symbolism dates back to World War I, when poppies flourished on the battlefield of Flanders Fields among the bomb-shelled buildings and scarred landscape. The brilliant red poppies became a sign not only of the blood shed on the field, but also the hope of renewal.
The poppies, which are handmade by veterans, are given away for free with a card explaining their history and the American Legion Auxiliary mission, but people are welcome to donate, said Carol Smith, president of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Arkansas.
One-hundred percent of donations to the poppy program go toward helping veterans and their families, Smith said.
Barnett got involved in the American Legion Auxiliary to support her husband Ray, who served in the Army in Okinawa, Japan, during World War II. Two of Barnett's sons also served in the military, according to her daughter Mary Boxx.
During the war, Laurine sent letters and pictures of the couple's two children who had already been born and Ray would return love letters, Boxx said. Ray was headed for the front lines when the war ended, which probably spared his life, she said.
The couple would go on to have four more children and their marriage would last 74 years until Ray's death in 2015.
"He loved his bride," Boxx said of her father. "He was crazy about his bride until his last breath."
Because of Ray's service, both he and Laurine wanted their children and grandchildren to know about the sacrifice Americans have made during the wars and to learn to appreciate freedom, Boxx said.
Ray and Laurine were very active in the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary, Boxx said. The couple also supported the Boys State and Girls State program for many years, donating money, volunteering and even giving students rides to and from Little Rock if needed.
Laurine said she got involved with the poppy program simply to fill a need. Her focus is entirely on helping service members.
"It was a need at the time, to get someone to work, so I just joined in," she said.
Boxx remembers her mother selling poppies at the old post office downtown, when she would come home to visit as a young woman. She was always faithful to her assignment of handing out poppies, she said.
Jonathan Barnett, former state representative for District 87, said his mother wasn't just handing out poppies, she was raising money for the Legion to help support service members.
"She's done it for years," Jonathan said. "She sets up at different locations, the post office was her favorite. And she was known as the Poppy Lady."
"Her grandchildren, one of the things they think of when they think of their grandma, is the Poppy Lady," Boxx said.
One year, Laurine's family threw her a poppy themed birthday party and one of her granddaughters made her paper poppies as a gift, Boxx said.
Laurine is also very involved in the Republican Women of Siloam Springs. When Laurine is handing out poppies, she always proudly wears a special hat covered with pins and buttons she has collected at various Republican National Conventions, Boxx said.
"She and dad would ride in the 4th of July parades (representing the American Legion) and she would wear her hat," Boxx said. "They were very patriotic."
Laurine was recognized for her service to the community when she was named a Pioneer Citizen by the Chamber of Commerce in 2001. When Smith joined the American Legion Auxiliary in 2005 she said Laurine was president.
"She's been so involved in the American Legion Auxiliary," said Smith. "Her heart is in the poppy program and the Girls' State Program."
Norma Ballard, who is organizing the poppy program in Siloam Springs this year, said that Laurine is an inspiration. It is amazing to sit and watch Laurine hand out poppies and visit with people who stop by.
"She has such a winning, loving smile," Ballard said.
General News on 05/24/2017