Loyalty Day Fest is Saturday in Muskogee
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 539 in Henryetta will be at Walmart today from 12-4 p.m. and Homeland on Sunday, May 5 from 12-4 p.m. passing out red poppies and accepting donations. All proceeds will be donated to VFW to help veterans and the community.
The Remembrance Day symbolism of the red poppy started with a poem written by a World War I brigade surgeon who was struck by the sight of the red flowers growing on a ravaged battlefield.
From 1914 to 1918, World War I took a greater human toll than any previous conflict, with some 8.5 million soldiers dead of battlefield injuries or disease. The Great War, as it was then known, also ravaged the landscape of Western Europe, where most of the fiercest fighting took place. From the devastated landscape of the battlefields, the red poppy would grow and, thanks to a famous poem, become a powerful symbol of remembrance.
— “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
— VFW District 7 Loyalty Day Fest is Saturday The District 7 Veterans of Foreign Wars, which includes Okmulgee County, invites everyone to attend the 3rd annual Loyalty Days Family Freedom Festival in Muskogee on Saturday, May 4. The festival is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Yank Tipton Post 474, 3811 W. Okmulgee in Muskogee.
An opening ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. with a presentation of colors, the National Anthem and prayer by the district chaplain.
According to Tricia Bear of VFW Post 539 in Henryetta, a full day of fun and activities are planned for the entire family.
VFW Post 539 will have a booth set up where they will be facilitating games such as dart and balloon toss, sandbag toss, sack races, spoon and egg relay, two-kid leg race, tug of war between the military branches, ring toss and more games.
During the event, there will be a cornhole tournament, along with a bouncy house obstacle course and food trucks.
“Winners will be given prizes,” Bear said. “We will also be selling homemade pumpkin bread, banana nut bread and lemon bread. We will be selling raffle tickets for a Colt pistol and this Indian rock sculpture which Manual Coon designed. All proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the VFW Post 539 to help veterans.”
Also planned is an AF JROTC Demonstration, canine service dogs and an open microphone for singers beginning at 2 p.m.
For questions about Loyalty Days, please contact Tricia Bear at 479-414-0952.
