Service doesn’t always start with a committee or big program. Sometimes it starts when a few people see something neglected and decide it’s worth bringing back.

That’s what happened at Harold J. Davis American Legion Post 247 in Remington, Va.

Our Poppy Cross was originally a Distinguished Cross Garden and place of remembrance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it fell into neglect. Weeds and debris took over, and something that once carried meaning became easy to overlook.

Our American Legion Family decided to change that.

By the first progress photo, nearly two months of work had already gone into treating weeds, removing trash and preparing the ground. A heavy weed barrier was installed. The concrete was pressure washed, repaired, primed and painted before stone and mulch were added.

Then came the poppies.

Legionnaire David Sillaman and Auxiliary members Terri Sillaman, Jennifer Lowe and Wendy Pinsky worked together on the design. Ideas changed, problems were solved and collaboration produced something better.

As the work progressed, people stopped to take pictures. One passerby told us they had never noticed Post 247 until they saw the white cross and red poppies. We weren’t advertising. We were simply taking care of something that mattered, yet doing so gave our community a reason to notice The American Legion.

The project reinforced something important to us: embrace your Auxiliary unit.

Auxiliary members bring creativity, compassion, patriotism and experience supporting veterans, caregivers, children, families and communities. A strong Auxiliary doesn’t compete with a strong post. It helps build one.

Nobody worried about who received credit. Something needed doing, people had something to contribute and they did it together.

Today, our Distinguished Cross Garden is again a place of remembrance. Look around your post.

Listen to your Legion Family, especially your Auxiliary. Find people willing to show up, and give them room to make something happen.

Sometimes service becomes a major veterans program.

Sometimes it starts with weeds, paint and a handful of poppies.