“Buddy” Poppy chairs Phyllis Miller (left) and Les Thwaits (right), watch at Greenville Mayor Mike Bowers (center) signs a proclamation declaring September 10 and 11 “Buddy” Poppy Days in Greenville. Lyn Bliss Photo
VFW “Buddy” Poppy Days set for September 10 & 11
By Lyn Bliss, Senior Scribe
September 10 and 11 have been proclaimed “Buddy” Poppy Days by Greenville Mayor Michael Bowers. “Buddy” Poppies are sold exclusively to assist disabled and needy veterans; and the widows and children of deceased veterans. This program began in 1922, and is exclusively a Veterans of Foreign Wars project.
The use of a poppy was inspired by the poem, “In Flanders Field”. The poppy’s red color symbolizes blood lost in battle by wounded military members.
Veterans living in VA hospitals, domiciliaries and state veterans homes assemble the poppies, tie them in bunches of ten and pack them in boxes of 500; 1,000 or 2,000 ─ after which they are shipped to VFW Posts and Ladies’ Auxiliaries. The veterans are paid for their work, giving them extra money for the little luxuries that make their lives in the hospital setting more tolerable.
Thousands of men are bedridden for life and others spend the rest of their days attempting to cope with injuries sustained as a result of war. A grateful government has provided hospitalization where needed. However, no governmental action can provide the personal touch and individual understanding funded through the “Buddy” Poppy program.
The work involved in assembling poppies is also often used as a therapy tool. The activity provides exercise for fingers and hands crippled by wounds; disease or the effects of old age.
The various VFW Posts hold “Buddy” poppy campaigns and the funds received are then used for veterans’ welfare programs. A portion of the Poppy funds is used to help finance the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan – where care for more than 1,300 children of veterans has been provided.
Greenville’s VFW Post 7262, and its Ladies’ Auxiliary, raise most funds from members, however, the “Buddy” poppy promotion is one occasion when the public is invited to help through donations for the poppies. Your help will go a long way toward soothing the pain of a deserving veteran.
It’s truly all about veterans helping veterans and living up to the VFW’s motto of “Honor the Dead by Helping the Living.”
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