FAIRBORN — The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 526 has selected the 2017 Miss Poppy.
Leah Snow, daughter of Stuart and Leigh Ann Snow and kindergarten Wright Campus student, was crowned Miss Poppy 2017 by 2016 Miss Poppy Miranda Fullam during the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 526’s annual Mother/Daughter banquet May 7 at the Fairborn Senior Center.
Snow, 6, received her crown, a silver chain with a poppy charm, sash and dress from the unit. She loves to dance and takes classes at the Miami Valley Dance Center; she also plays basketball with the Upwards program at Victory Temple.
Snow’s first official duty as Miss Poppy includes assisting the auxiliary in distributing veteran-made poppies for donations May 20 in Fairborn. In addition to helping during Poppy Day, Snow will participate in the Memorial Day ceremonies at Fairfield Cemetery and ride in the Fourth of July parade with the unit president.
During the Miss Poppy crowning event, Post 526 Commander Spencer Chaney gave greetings, followed by distinguished guest Fairborn Mayor Dan Kirkpatrick presented a proclamation for May 20 as Poppy Day in Fairborn to Unit President Refugia Bowen.
In declaring the observance, Kirkpatrick stressed that the auxiliary and legion adopted the poppy as its memorial flower in 1919. The poppy, Kirkpatrick added, serves as the memorial flower to the war dead and helps lighten the burden of the disabled veterans by providing employment in making the poppies, for which they are paid and physical and psychological therapy for hospitalized and disabled veterans. Materials for the poppies are supplied by the auxiliary. Proceeds for Poppy Day are used by the local unit to support veterans in the VA local nursing homes.
Guest speaking during the event included Department President Denise Conrad, who talked about the lessons individuals learn from their mothers. Conrad also spoke about the special Military Family Assistance Fund project, which helps military families in need of help as they transition from military to civilian life.
Additional distinguished guests during the event included Karen Clark, third district auxiliary president; Sue Masten, past department who is also a Unit 526 member. Miss Poppy judges included Sue Whisman, Ellen Farthing and Cherry Fullman, the mother of the 2016 Miss Poppy. Audrey Wright provided music for the event, and Farthing and her husband, Leroy, provided food, which was served by Chaney, past commander John Dugan and SAL member Tom Short.
