May 17 is Armed Forces Day — observed on the third Saturday in May — a day to pay tribute to men and women currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The month begins with Loyalty Day and ends with Memorial Day. Vets raise money with poppies in between.

Marie Gomez of Macomb is a member of American Legion Auxiliary, 7th District Association and local Unit 351. Her husband is a member of American Legion Post 351 in Utica, and their son Braygen is a member of the Sons of the American Legion.

“I hold a special place in my heart for the parents, siblings, spouses, and friends of those who served. I can’t help but think of all the men and women who have gone to fight for this great nation and didn’t return home,” Gomez said.

She urges people to support the poppy drive canister collections.

“One hundred percent of donations received will go directly to help veterans, military, and their families,” Gomez said. “While we are all guilty of celebrating the unofficial start of summer and encouraging each other to ‘have a good weekend,’ it is important to remember the reason for the holiday. Memorial Day is the day Americans set aside to honor those brave men and women who met tragic ends while defending our freedom. It is our duty to honor their sacrifices, to pray for their families, and to bow our heads in recognition of their service.”

National Poppy Day is a registered trademark of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Look for Legionnaires and Auxiliary 7th District Association members 6-8 p.m. May 23 at Jimmy John’s Field in Utica distributing poppies as a tribute to fallen warriors. They will be seen throughout the greater Utica area with their canister collection drive.

“We must never forget. The poppy, which bloomed on the battlefields of France after World War I, has grown to become an internationally known and recognized symbol of the lives sacrificed in war and the hope that none died in vain,” she said.

The American Legion Auxiliary, founded in 1919, is a community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families. ALA members assist veterans in hospitals, advocate for veteran issues, and support therapeutic creative arts festivals for veterans.

In addition to serving the military community, the American Legion Auxiliary hosts ALA Girls Nation and the ALA Girls State programs that teach future leaders about government and civic responsibility. Learn more at ALAforVeterans.org, and @ALAforVeterans on Instagram and Facebook.

Poppy Day is celebrated around the world. The American Legion Family asked the U.S. Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day and they trademarked the name. The red poppy has been a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars hold Buddy Poppy — also a registered trademark name — drives during this month. VFW Bruce Post 1146 holds a Buddy Poppy drive 11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 22-24 on the street side of the post at 28404 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores. Motorists can drive up and donate.

Members of the Disabled American Veterans may be out and about with their Forget-Me-Not blue flowers, and canisters.

Honor Flights benefit from video horse racing

The Raising American Heroes Organization, RAHO, sponsors A Night at the Races, Saturday, May 17 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Lempke-Blackwell Post 7573, 35011 23 Mile Road, New Baltimore. Doors open at 6 p.m.; dinner buffet is at 6:30 p.m. Tickets (21 and older only) are $50 per ticket or table of 10 for $450. Bring cash for raffles, bidding, and open bar. Proceeds benefit Mid-Michigan Honor Flight to transport American veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to their sacrifices, following the motto: It’s never too late to thank a veteran.

DAV benefits seminar May 19

Disabled American Veterans puts on a seminar to help veterans and their families obtain the services and benefits they have earned 6-7 p.m. Monday, May 19, at the Knights of Columbus — DAV Chapter 119, at 25003 Little Mack Ave., St. Clair Shores. It is staffed by DAV national service officers providing professional support throughout the claims and appeals process.

Veterans attending the seminar should bring identification, their Social Security number and any other pertinent documentation regarding their military service. DAV membership is not required to use the free services. To learn more about DAV, visit DAV.org. DAV is a nonprofit charity that provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all generations and their families, helping more than one million veterans in positive, life-changing ways each year.

Parkinson’s patients get support

VVA Chapter 9 recently donated funds to support fellow veterans battling Parkinson’s Disease. The donation was presented to Nate Jolliff, a member of the Macomb County Marine Corps League, who runs a veterans support group specifically for vets living with Parkinson’s. Jolliff, a Marine veteran, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s three years ago and dedicates his time to helping others navigate the challenges of the disease.

The Parkinson’s Support Group meets at 2 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at American Legion Post 351, 46146 Cass Ave, Utica. Contact Jolliff at 248-464-3258 or natejolliff@comcast.net. The next meeting date is June 19.

The VA healthcare system currently serves approximately 110,000 veterans diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Studies are showing potential links between Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War and burn pit exposure during the Iraq War as contributing factors to the onset of Parkinson’s among veterans.

“Chapter 9 is honored to support initiatives like this to ensure no veteran faces this battle alone,” Paul Palazzolo, chapter president said.

The May 3 Service Circuit column stated that Macomb Food Program has a network of pantries and receives food from the Stamp Out Hunger food drive. The National Association of Letter Carriers food drive on May 10 benefited pantries including the veterans food pantry in Clinton Township run by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154. However, here is a clarification: The Macomb Food Program is a 501c3 and does not have a pantry network. The entity that should have been named is the Community Food Bank of Macomb County. That food bank receives some donations from the Macomb Food Program to support its operations but they are separate organizations.

Send news of service clubs and veterans organizations to Linda May at lindamay@ameritech.net or call landline 586-791-8116.