Since 1920, the poppy has been the memorial flower of the American Legion. After World War I, poppies flourished in Europe, thriving in lime-rich soil littered with rubble from the war. After Lt. Col. John McCrae wrote the wartime poem "In Flanders Fields," the poppy became the symbol of the blood shed by soldiers in war as well as the people who continue to fight for our freedom.

Throughout Bainbridge, elementary school students have been working hard to sell artificial poppies that are handcrafted by veterans, with all proceeds benefiting patients at the Lebanon VA Medical Center. The top sellers will be crowned the poppy king and queen at the Bainbridge Memorial Day events on Monday, May 27.

Bainbridge will mark Memorial Day with a parade hosted by the American Legion and Auxiliary Post 197. The parade will form at Bainbridge Elementary School, 416 N. Second St., at 8:30 a.m. and will step off at 9 a.m. It will proceed south on Second Street to Bainbridge Cemetery, where a short program will take place.

Chief Master Sgt. Brian Koser, who retired from the U.S. Air Force and Pennsylvania National Guard after 39 years of service, will be the speaker. "State Rep. Tom Jones will be in attendance, as well as the Legion Riders, the Bainbridge Band and the Kracker Beez band," said Gina Mariani, who has organized the parade since 1988. The parade will also feature decorated bicycles, and Mariani invites any children who would like to participate to stop by GiGi's Ice Cream Bar, 2 S. Second St., to pick up free decorating supplies. Prizes will be awarded by the American Legion for the best decorated bikes.

After the ceremony, a free community picnic will be held at the Bainbridge Fire Company, 34 S. Second St. The American Legion will provide hot dogs, chips, salads, drinks and desserts.

This year, eight children are participating as poppy kids and will be selling the flowers. They are Isaac Jensen, Juliette Poling, Colton Stoutzenberger, Cheyenne Dupler, Elijah Brake Bailey, Gretchen Rank, Braylin McConnell and Lily Dougherty.

Prior to the parade, Mariani meets with elementary students to talk about "In Flanders Fields" and the importance of the poppy to veterans' programs.

"I really like that the parade mixes older people with young kids," she said. "It's so important for the kids to see and interact with our veterans and to understand how important the veterans are."

Bainbridge has hosted a Memorial Day parade and ceremony for decades, and it's always a popular event, Mariani noted.

"When we come down through the streets, the people just follow the parade to the cemetery," she said. "It's not a long parade, but it's important. For us, it's just about community. Our community really comes out on this day."

For more information on Bainbridge Memorial Day events, contact Mariani at 717-278-8484.