Alabama Gold Star family installed 2,026 handmade ceramic poppies at Battleship Memorial Park to honor fallen military personnel and veterans.
) -A Gold Star family from Alabama has installed 2,026 handmade ceramic poppies at Battleship Memorial Park this Memorial Day weekend to honor fallen military personnel and veterans.
Prattville artist Julianne Hansen created the Alabama Poppy Project in 2020 as she navigated the loss of her stepson, Capt. Kyle Hansen, who was active duty Air Force.
“And it was really difficult for us to go to the cemetery — every Memorial Day, every event — to be surrounded by too many reminders. And so I thought to myself as an artist — there has got to be a way that I can express myself,” Hansen said. What started as 1,000 ceramic poppies in historic downtown Prattville has expanded to represent the number of the year.
This year’s display features 2,026 poppies with names of veterans printed in gold on white ribbons tied around each flower.
“When it is sunny you get the shiny effect, which I think is spectacular. Then it rains and you get the glistening of the rain drops on it too. It’s absolutely spectacular. Rain or shine the field is just beautiful,” Steven Hansen said.
Volunteers helped install the display with the USS Alabama as a backdrop. Among them were members of the American Legion Auxiliary Eastern Shore Post 199.
“It honors so many of our fallen heroes. Whether they died in combat — after combat. My dad served in the Navy. I lost my great uncle on the USS Indianapolis.
So, it means a heck of a lot to me,” said Dena Haywood of the American Legion Auxiliary Eastern Shore Post 199. Julianne Hansen said the project has become therapeutic not only for her family but for others processing grief.
“And what we didn’t realize was not only was it therapeutic for us to be able to work through our grief — but it helped others to do the same. And I think people just need to talk and they need to hear their stories. It’s our responsibility to tell their stories — if we don’t who will? ” she said.
The Alabama Poppy Project will be on display at Battleship Memorial Park through Tuesday. Poppies can be purchased on location. You can also visit their websiteFishing charter company says serious injuries reported in Perdido Pass boat incidentWoman killed by Amtrak train identified as local business donates funeral flowersHistoric D.C. boundary stones still standing after 235 yearsWorld War II veteran celebrates 102nd birthday at National Naval Aviation Museum
Ceramic Poppies Military Personnel Veterans Memorial Day Alabama Poppy Project Prattville Artist Julianne Hansen USS Alabama American Legion Auxiliary Eastern Shore Post 1 Therapeutic For Grief Processing
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