BETHEL — Maren DeCato, of Bethel, and Lily and Kimball Burrill of Albany are this year’s Poppy Girls, representing Bethel’s Allen-Mundt Post 81 and Greenwood’s Jackson-Silver Post 68.

The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance and sacrifice and was popularized by Colonel John McCrae’s poem, “In Flander’s Fields.”  The poem is his reflection on the lives of soldiers lost in the Flanders region of Belgium during World War I.

In 1923 Poppy “buddies” were disabled veterans who were paid to make the poppies that were distributed. During the 1940’s and 1950’s, the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW) asked leading Hollywood actresses to help the cause by becoming “Buddy Poppy Girls.”

Distribution of poppies for 103 years now, remains a staple of Veterans and Memorial Day activities in Bethel and Greenwood and at posts throughout the country.

Look for Maren DeCato and the Burrill sisters at Mainely Provisions this month. The money they raise helps to support veterans and their families. 

Maren DeCato

The Auxiliary American Legion Post 81 announced Miss Poppy 2025 – Maren DeCato, of Bethel. She is the daughter of Chris DeCato and Sarah DeCato, a current member, and former junior member, of the Auxiliary American Legion Post 81. Maren’s great grandfather Ernest Angevine was a World War II Veteran and was a member of Post 81 for over 60 years. Her great grandmother Alberta Angevine was a member of Ladies Auxiliary American Legion Post 81 Member for over 60 years, as well.

Maren’s maternal grandmother, Judith Coolidge-Cross has been an Auxiliary American Legion Post 81 member for over 50 years. Her grandfather, Richard Cross, a Vietnam Veteran, is a Lifetime American Legion member at Post 68 in Locke’s Mills and Veteran of Foreign Wars member.

Her paternal grandfather Richard DeCato served in the Navy. Maren’s paternal great grandmother Merline Martin served in the American Legion Auxiliary Post 68 in Norway.

Maren’s older sisters Isla and Lucy are junior Auxiliary American Legion Post 81 members and have served as Miss Poppy in years past.

Lily and Kimball Burrill

American Legion Auxiliary, Post 68, of Locke’s Mills announced Miss Poppies 2025, Lily Burrill, 10, and Kimball Burrill, 8, of Albany Township, daughter of Jillian and Richard Burrill. Both girls attend Crescent Park Elementary School.

Lily, Kimball and their sister Calla (2), their mother Jillian, their Grandmother Joan Kimball, and their Great Grandmother (deceased) are all American Legion Auxiliary members, Post 68. Lily has a long family history of men and women who have served in the military.

Grandfather John Kimball served in the Army National Guard from 1979-1985 as a Combat Engineer and was discharged as a Sergeant. He is a member of the American Legion, Post 81.

Grandfather Frederick Burrill served in the Army National Guard as an Artillery Sergeant in Limestone and Houlton.

Great Aunt: Kathy Lessard (Deegan), Air Force.

Great Uncles: Allen Soule, Army (Germany) 1967-1973, and Navy reserve; Richard (Dick) B. Mitchell, Merchant Marine, Chief Engineer; Charles E. Burrill, CPO Navy (Vietnam).

Great Great Grandfathers: James A. Spinney inducted Sep 4, 1918 Army, Blacksmith, Honorable discharge as Sergeant June 18, 1919 out of Camp Devens, MA. Albert B. Kimball was inducted Sep 8, 1943, served in the 32nd Infantry at Camp Croft, SC, and was Honorably discharged Nov, 18, 1943. Richard O. Burrill, enlisted May 28, 1917, Corporal Co A 317 F Signal Corps, WWI (St Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne), Honorable discharge June 14, 1919.

Great Great Uncles; Wilmont Herrick Jr., Army Reserves; Albert Herrick, Marines (Vietnam); Donald Herrick, Marines (Grenada); Leonard E. Kimball, Army; Joseph Cafarella, US Marines (Raiders), Master Artillery Sergeant, WWII, Soloman Islands, Guadalcanal.; William Cafarella, US Marines, Rear Gunner (shot down by Nazi submarine over Atlantic Ocean), Parris Island

Civil War: Charles Clark Kimball; George Wilder Kimball, Company A, 12th Regiment of Maine Volunteer Infantry, died Nov 12, 1863 in New Orleans; John Randall Burrill, Private, Company H, 12th Regiment of Maine Volunteer Infantry, died Aug 15, 1863 in New Orleans.

Revolutionary War: Israel Hutchinson, served as aide to George Washington. Nehemiah Hutchinson, served as a private in the Revolutionary War; Benoni Burrill, Private (Drummer), Captain Edward Cobbs Company, Colonel Edward Mitchell’s Regiment, multiple enlistments.