Larned Mayor Robert C. Pivonka issued the following proclamation Oct. 29.
WHEREAS,VETERANS DAY is an opportunity for the citizens of Larned to remember and show their appreciation for the significant and positive social and economic impact that the military — Active, Reserve, and National Guard — has had on world history during times of peace and during times of war: and
WHEREAS, THE VFW Buddy Poppy is the official memorial flower of the VFW and the annual distribution of Buddy Poppies by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has been officially recognized and endorsed by governmental leaders since 1922; and
WHEREAS, the poppy was memorialized in WWI Lt. Colonel John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields, “In Flanders Fields the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row,...”
WHEREAS, the military is made up of individuals, our grandparents, neighbors and friends and coworkers, our brothers and sisters, our fathers and mothers, all of whom are important members of our community; and
WHEREAS, VFW Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled veterans, and the proceeds of this worthy fund-raising campaign are used exclusively for the benefit of disabled and needy veterans, and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans; and
WHEREAS, the sacrifice of these individuals and their families, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice, is an example of their selfless love and devotion to our Country and to our community and to our families, and to the ideals of freedom;
WHEREAS, the basic purpose of the annual distribution of Buddy Poppies by the Veterans of Foreign Wars is eloquently reflected in the desire to “Honor the Dead by Helping the Living”;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, I, Robert C. Pivonka, Mayor of the City of Larned do hereby proclaim the day of Nov. 11, 2012, as VETERANS DAY in Larned, Kansas; and I urge all citizens to join in this observance and to recognize past, present, and future members of the armed forces of these United States of America; and furthermore, I ask the citizens of the Larned Community to recognize the merits of this cause by contributing generously to its support through your donations for Buddy Poppies the “Flower of Remembrance” on Nov. 11, 2012, for the distribution of these symbols of appreciation for the sacrifices of our honored dead.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the City of Larned, to be affixed. Proclaimed in the City of Larned, Kansas, on this 29th day of October, 2012.
CITY OF LARNED
Robert C. Pivonka, Mayor