poppy girl

Press Release:

The Le Roy American Legion Auxiliary Unit 576, is pleased to announce Briar Eadie has been selected as the Poppy Girl for 2025.

Briar is the daughter of Benjamin and Andi (DeBellis) Eadie of Le Roy and the granddaughter of Ben and Maureen (Beany Zimmerman) Eadie of Le Roy and Ronald (Togo) and Cathy (Sipos) DeBellis of Lyndonville. Brair is 9 years old and a 2nd grader at Wolcott Street School in Le Roy.

Additionally, the Auxiliary is also excited to introduce, for the first time, the Poppy Ambassadors, Noah Ford and Elijah Ford. Noah is 9 years old and a 3rd grader at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Cheektowaga. Elijah is 12 years old and is in the 7th grade at John F Kennedy High School in Cheektowaga. Noah and Elijah are the sons of Rebecca (Feneran) Ford and grandsons of the late Richard (Dick) and Deborah Feneran of Le Roy.

Notably, Deborah previously served as Chairperson of the Auxiliary Annual Poppy program for years, and Dick was a proud Vietnam Veteran.

History of the Poppy

After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe. Scientists attributed the growth to soils in France and Belgium becoming enriched with lime from the rubble left by the war. The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed by those who fought and those who continue to fight for our country following the publication of the wartime poem “In Flanders Fields.” The poem was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. while serving on the front line in World War I, to honor soldiers killed in battle.

Proceeds from the Poppy sales can only be used to benefit the mission to support the future of veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs. 

In Flanders Fields By John McCrae

In Flanders’ Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on,

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.

Members of the Auxiliary will have Poppies available Memorial Day Weekend at Tops and Save-A-Lot, and at the Memorial Day Parade or stop by the Legion at 53 West Main Street, Le Roy on Wednesdays or Fridays from 5 to 10 p.m. Stop by and pick up a Poppy and if you can give a donation. If you would like to donate, please mail to American Legion Auxiliary, 53 West Main St, Le Roy.

Congratulations, Brair, Noah and Elijah!

Press Release:

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #576 in Le Roy is proud to announce Abygale (Aby) Fernaays as our 2024 Poppy Girl. 

Aby is the daughter of Nathan Fernaays and Farrah Nolan, and the granddaughter of Michael and Cheryl Fernaays of Le Roy and Douglas and Marie Nolan of Ocala, FL. 

Aby and her family honor Memorial Day every year by remembering the sacrifice of the men and women who have given their lives for our country. 

We are excited to have Aby and her family participate in this year’s Poppy Program and in the Memorial Day Parade in Le Roy on Monday, May 27.

 The money raised by Aby and the Poppy Program will be used throughout the year to support our veterans in nursing homes and hospitals, along with assisting the color guard at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Pembroke. We appreciate your continued support.

Le Roy Village Mayor Greg Rogers, Poppy Girl 2019 Celeste Vescovi, and Le Roy Town Supervisor Steve Barbeau.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Botts-Fiorito American Legion Post #576 has selected the 2019 Poppy Girl, who will be featured in the upcoming Memorial Day Parade in Le Roy on Monday, May 27.

Little Miss Celeste Vescovi will reign as this year's Poppy Girl. She is a kindergartener at Wolcott Street School in Le Roy.

Celeste is the daughter of Sara and John Vescovi and granddaughter of Barb and John Vescovi and Christa Coulon. Also she is the great-granddaughter of the late Don Vescovi (Clarky), past commander and adjutant of Botts-Fiorito Post 576.

Celeste enjoys dance, bowling and singing, especially karaoke; also reading is a favorite pastime.

You can meet Celeste in Le Roy on Memorial Day -- at the American Legion Post, and distributing traditional red crepe paper poppies at Tops Market (128 W. Main St.).

The symbolic flower is given out by the American Legion Auxiliary to raise money and to commemorate the sacrifice of so may men and women who have died fighting for their country. (To learn more about the American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Program, click here.)

Le Roy's Memorial Day Parade will be held on May 27th, starting at the American Legion (53 W. Main St.) at 10:30 a.m., and ceremonies will follow at 11 o'clock in Trigon Park.

For previous coverage on 2019 Memorial Day plans in Le Roy, click here.