The red poppy has long been associated with the American Legion Auxiliary. But in its early years, the Auxiliary also sold blue forget-me-nots to raise money for disabled veterans.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) began selling forget-me-nots in 1921. Like remembrance poppies, the forget-me-nots were made of paper or cloth. All the proceeds went to needy veterans. Always eager to help veterans, the Legion Auxiliary assisted DAV with the sales.
Forget-me-not sales initially took place around Armistice Day. In 1929, DAV decided to hold a sale in late September. The date commemorated the anniversary of the 1918 Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Some 95,000 US soldiers were wounded during this month-long battle.
In Ellendale, the Post 296 Auxiliary celebrated Forget-Me-Not Day throughout the 1930s.
The Auxiliary sold 200 forget-me-nots in 1935, an impressive feat in a village with only around 400 people. The sale earned $16.94 for disabled soldiers, about $311 in today’s money.
