Declare Poppy Day May 26

May 26, 2017, as Poppy Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Poppy Day WHEREAS, Poppies are worn and displayed as a symbolic tribute to fallen and future veterans and members of the Armed Forces; and WHEREAS, The use of the poppy comes from the poem "In Flanders Fields," which was written during World War I by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a surgeon with Canada's First Brigade Artillery; and WHEREAS, The poem expressed McCrae's grief over the "row on row" of graves of soldiers who died on Flanders' battlefields, located in a region of western Belgium and northern France; and WHEREAS, "In Flanders Fields" presented an image of the bright red flowers blooming among the rows of white crosses; the poem became a rallying cry to all who fought in World War I; and WHEREAS, At the end of World War I, the American Legion adopted the poppy as a symbol of freedom and blood sacrificed by members of the Armed Forces in war; and WHEREAS, The poppy is well-known in the United States, Britain, France, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as the "Flower of Remembrance" to commemorate members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty; and WHEREAS, As the United States commemorates the 100th Anniversary of its entrance into World War I and the American Legion approaches its 100th Anniversary, it is fitting to review the history and meaning of the poppy as a symbol here in the United States and the State of New York; and WHEREAS, The Veterans of Foreign Wars adopted the poppy as its first official memorial flower in 1922; and WHEREAS, A shortage of poppies from French manufactures led to the idea of using unemployed and disabled veterans to produce the artificial flowers; and WHEREAS, In 1924, a poppy factory was built in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, providing a reliable source of poppies; today, veterans at VA medical facilities and veterans homes help assemble the poppies, which are distributed by veterans service organizations throughout the United States; and WHEREAS, The poppy is an iconic symbol of honor for the sacrifice of our veterans which can be worn in memory of the fallen soldiers, and to honor those who fought for freedom; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay tribute to the bravery, patriotism, and sacrifice made by the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, and to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Friday, May 26, 2017, as Poppy Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Poppy Day; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of the Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York; Colonel Eric J. Hesse, USA, Retired, Director of the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs; State Commander James B. Sampson, American Legion Department of New York; and State Commander Dennis Sullivan, Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of New York.