Added on May 23, 2016 Sara Swanson

Miss Poppy 2016 - Lila Harvey

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9-year old Lila Harvey is Manchester American Legion Post 117's 2016 Miss Poppy. Photo courtesy of Harvey family.

This weekend, Manchester observed Poppy Days. Throughout the flag-lined streets, veterans belonging to American Legion Post 117 and American Legion Auxiliary members distributed paper poppies, collecting donations to benefit veterans through the American Legion. One special little girl was also distributing poppies this weekend--Lila Harvey, Manchester’s 2016 Miss Poppy.

Manchester has had a Miss Poppy every year for more than 50 years. In the past, she was chosen from among the most active American Auxiliary Junior members, but now is a Manchester area girl chosen as the best representative for Poppy Days. She has the special duty of ceremonially laying wreaths during the Memorial Day parade.

Lila is 9 years old and a member of the Auxiliary. She is the daughter of Steve and Rebecca Harvey of Manchester and the Granddaughter of Legionnaire Doug Harvey and the late Linda Harvey, who was also an Auxiliary member. She is big sister to Max and Leigha. Lila loves to play baseball, soccer and basketball. Her other hobbies include reading, arts and crafts and learning to use the bow and arrow and she wants to learn to hunt with her Dad. She attends the 3rd grade at Klager Elementary School in Manchester.

Liz Wallace of the American Legion Auxiliary stated, “I know she is very excited and will do her job very well. Lila has been a member of our Auxiliary for almost her entire life ! She became a member because a lot of her family members are. She joined under her great-grandpa Leonard Berkman.”

The Memorial Day parade will be held at 11 am on Memorial Day which this year is Monday, May 30. It is a solemn event that will begin on the new Main Street Bridge, proceed west through town stopping at the memorial in Wurster Park, and will end with a ceremony in Oak Grove cemetery. Scouts participating in the parade should line up no later than 10:45 am. After the parade, veterans and families of veterans are invited to the Legacy Events Center (formerly the American Legion Hall) on Duncan Street for a potluck. Bring a dish to pass, your own table service and drink. In the past, meat was provided as a main dish but will not be provided this year.

Each year, the American Legion Auxiliary’s three-quarters of a million members – direct female relatives of wartime veterans – raise more than $5.5 million through the distribution of the symbolic red poppies to support active-duty military, veterans, and their families. The Auxiliary’s 8,000+ neighborhood units distribute poppies throughout the year, especially on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The red poppy has become a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. It reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms. One hundred percent of the donations collected directly support the needs of veterans, military, and their families.