Commemorating Memorial Day

Honoring the sacrifice.

This weekend we remember those who died in service to our country - from the Civil War era through present day.


Several FVC members reflect upon how they remember those who didn't make it home.

We too welcome you to share how you pay tribute to those with whom you served who made the ultimate sacrifice, and who it is that you remember this Memorial Day.
Fellowship Awardees Announced!
It's one of our most exciting weeks at FVC - when we share news of this year's class of Fellows!
Nearly 130 members received word on April 30th that they are being awarded equipment thanks to a Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund grant. Since 2011, we have awarded more than 700 veterans with $3.5 million in equipment, thanks to our partners, individual donors and supporters.

The 2021 class of Fellows includes:
  • Representation in nearly 40 states – from Alaska to Maine, and even Guam
  • 47 females, doubling the percentage of women awardees as compared to prior years
  • Nine awardees who have spouses who also served in the military
  • 52% Army, 18% Marines, 17% Air Force, 11% Navy, 2% Coast Guard

We are anxious to share the stories of these awardees with you over the coming year!
Member Features

We're heating things up! As we enter the unofficial start to grilling season, we feature a couple members who grow hot peppers and produce value added products...with a kick!
Doorstep Peppers
Wisconsin | Air Force
Pepper Rick Farms
Texas | Army
Upcoming Happenings
2021 CONFERENCES
Next week we will send an announcement about our 2021 conferences! Stay tuned to your inbox for more.
NATIVE AMERICAN GRANT
We are looking for FVC members who self-identify as Native American, for the purpose of grant planning. Add your email to this list so we can follow-up with more.
From the Director
I grew up in a small borough in Pennsylvania where Memorial Day was full of community and traditions that commemorated many family members who had served our country.

Our little farming town had an annual parade that I think half the town was in! With less than 2,000 people, the town's only claim to fame was that in 1753 a 21-year-old George Washington visited. Looking back, I recall the memorial services in the gazebo in the town square adorned with American flags. I remember the services at church with patriotic music that left not a dry eye. I treasured the time when my extended family stopped milking and planting and gathered to eat together and pray for those that had fallen. I hung on every word the service men shared.
I would gather wildflowers and go into the local cemetery and seek out the oldest veteran grave marker that I could find. Most of all I remember the poppies that the locals had planted on the hillside. 

In high school we were required to memorize “In Flanders Fields”- a war poem that was written during the First World War by a Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. He was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915 after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second battle of Ypres. According to legend, fellow soldiers retrieved the poem after McCrae, initially dissatisfied with his work, discarded it. “In Flanders Fields” is one of the most quoted poems from the war. Its reference to the red poppies that grew over the graves of fallen soldiers resulted in the remembrance poppy becoming one of the world's most recognized memorial symbols for soldiers who have died in conflict.
For this Memorial Day, I would like to share it with you.

May we always carry the torch, and never break faith.

~ Jeanette
In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.



To continued success ahead...




Natalie Monroe & Team FVC

Communications & Marketing Manager
natalie@farmvetco.org



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