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Apple Valley proclaims National Poppy Day/Month and Memorial Day; American Legion speakers urge remembrance
Summary
The council approved proclamations for National Poppy Day/Month and Memorial Day after presentations from the American Legion Auxiliary and the American Legion commander; speakers described poppy distribution efforts and read remembrance materials and names of local service members.
The Apple Valley City Council on May 22 approved proclamations recognizing National Poppy Day and May as Poppy Month and acknowledging Memorial Day on May 26, 2025, following presentations by American Legion Auxiliary and American Legion representatives.
Gina Deerfeldt, first vice president and Poppy chair of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1776 in Apple Valley, described the auxiliary’s distribution of memorial poppies and said donations collected support veterans and their families. "All of the funds that we receive are they go out to our veterans and their families," Deerfeldt said, and listed upcoming distribution locations and hours.
Bernie Bauman, commander of American Legion Post 1776 and an Apple Valley resident, addressed the council ahead of the Memorial Day proclamation. Bauman recited casualty numbers spanning U.S. conflicts and named several local service members who died in the line of duty, then read "In Flanders Fields" to the council and offered copies of the poem to members. The council proclaimed May 26, 2025, as Memorial Day in Apple Valley, asked citizens to set aside time for remembrance (including a suggested moment of silence at 3 p.m.), and noted memorial ceremonies scheduled at local sites.
Both proclamations were adopted by voice vote after motions from council members (Poppy Month motion and Memorial Day motion as recorded in the meeting). The council also reminded residents that city offices will be closed on Memorial Day and that flags are to be flown at half-staff until noon in observance of the day.
