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At a long table filled with paints, markers and sheets of poppies, Veterans came together to memorialize the loss of members of the military who died in service. One by one, Veterans came
together to paint a poppy. The Veterans were initially strangers, but soon realized they were bound by shared experiences of service. As conversations sparked, they discovered echoes of
their own lives in others – stories of where they were stationed, the branches of service they belonged to, and the trials and camaraderie they experienced in uniform. "While I was
painting the poppies I remembered my 28 fellow Marines we lost in Vietnam, and I was thinking about all the Veterans we've lost over the years," said Dave Schwirian, 1964 -1968
Marine infantryman. "This is a great way to honor and pay tribute to them." Time seemed to drift away for those Veterans who lingered, sharing anecdotes and finding comfort in
painting. Many were surprised by how the simple act of guiding brush strokes on a canvas could slow their racing minds and bring about an unexpected sense of peace. “We wanted to create a
sacred space for Veterans to come and express their feelings as well educate the community on how to understand a respect Veterans on this holiday”, said Allison Wright, LCSW, VHSO Local
Recovery Coordinator. “I watched Veterans come to the “Paint a Poppy” table timidly, then within minutes of painting Veterans were opening up, smiling and sharing stories with other
Veterans. Throughout the day, other Veterans hurried through on their way to appointments. Though pressed for time, they too paused to soak in the atmosphere. They stopped to read the
poignant words of John McCrae’s "In Flanders Field" and thanked the staff for honoring Memorial Day. “Remembering and honoring the courage and sacrifice of those who gave
everything for this nation is what Memorial Day is all about,” said Wright. “It serves as a powerful reminder of the cost of war and the enduring spirit of those who gave their lives for
peace and freedom.“ Once completed, the poppy paintings, each unique in color and form, were gathered to be taken to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. There, they would serve to
educate the public on the significance of Memorial Day. These poppies, varied in appearance just as the experiences of the Veterans, represented the different ways service had touched their
lives. Despite the differences, they were united by the red poppy – an international symbol of remembrance and respect for the ultimate sacrifices made. Memorial Day, is observed on the last
Monday of May, is a day to honor members of the military who were killed in service. Because Memorial Day is a somber day to honor those who died in service to the country, the best way to
honor Memorial Day is by wearing a red poppy. All Veterans, thank you for your service! ###
