Veterans of Foreign Wars to Hold "Buddy" Poppy Day May 12

From 8 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. on Saturday May 12, the Northfield Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxilliary will be distributing the "Buddy" Poppy downtown.

THE STORY OF THE "BUDDY" POPPY

"In Flanders Fields, The Poppies Blow"

These opening words of Col. John Mcrae's immortal poem are known to every child in the United States. dedicated to the memory of the men who fought and died in France during World War I, the poppies of which he wrote have become the true symbol of all those who have given their lives in our nation's wars.

The Poppy has become recoginized as the memorial flower in countries throughout the world. It is distributed by Veterans organizations in Europe, in America, and in most of the countries in the British Commonwealth.

Since 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has conducted an annual distribution of "Buddy" Poppies to raise funds for charitable programs on behalf of the needy and disabled veterans, and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans.

BUDDY POPPIES EVERYWHERE

Today, "Buddy" Poppies are distributed by Posts and Auxiliaries of the V.F.W. in every state of the union and in dozens of other countries. Some 14 million are distributed annually; most of them preceeding Memorial day and Veterans day., but many of them at other times of the year.

More than 15 Million dollars is raised each year through this distribution. All of it striclty accounted for and dedicated to Veterans welfare.

Under the unique V.F.W. distribution system, the proceeds of the distribution are divided between national, state, and local charitable purposes.

WHEN YOU DROP A DONATION IN A POPPY CANISTER

You have contributed to the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children of deceased or disabled veterans at Eaton Rapids, Michigan...The National VFW Rehabilitation Service in Washington D.C....to the VFW Rehabilitation Service in our own state...and to direct assistance programs for needy and disabled veterans in our own community.

The services made possible through your donation are available to ALL needy veterans--not just those who are members of the VFW. Hundreds of thousands of non-members are assisted with disability claims and served in hospitals each year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, its Post and Auxiliaries.

HOW CAN SO LITTLE DO SO MUCH?

The person from whom you receive your Poppy is a volunteer. Their supervisor is a volunteer and all those who helped organize the distribution are volunteers. Their only pay is the satisfaction which comes from devoting time and effort to a worthy cause.

However, there is someone who DOES get paid. The disabled veteran who assembled the Poppy from original parts recieves a nominal sum for their work. The amount is small, but does help them to buy the little luxeries which make hospital life tolerable and it does permit them to purchase a gift now and then for their loved ones at home.

When you are handed a "Buddy Poppy", give generously.

And when you where your Poppy, do it Proudly.

And when you see VFW and Auxiliary volunteers working in veterans hospitals, visiting the sick and helping with their problems, give them a word of greeting.

You are partners in a great work.

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

Col. John Mcrae

"Buddy" is a trademark which can only be used on the poppy assembled by the veterans of foreign wars of the united states.

We look forward to seeing you downtown northfield this saturday and hope now you have a little better understanding of our "Buddy Poppy" Program and will generously donate to those in need.