When COVID-19 spread viciously around the world last year, nothing was left safe in its path, not even the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Buddy Poppies. The patriotic spirit of all VFW posts and their auxiliaries, along with the help of many youth volunteers, answered the call to assemble the VFW’s official flower, which recalls the sacrifices of the nation’s service members. Approximately 180 VFW posts nationwide responded to build the red flowers of remembrance after five Buddy Poppy assembly centers were shut down due to COVID-19. As of March 1, 2021, approximately 9 million poppies were collected, which equals close to two years’ worth of Buddy Poppies.
Where there is a will, there is a way, and students who needed community service hours to fulfill their school requirement got involved. VFW members even made descriptive videos, instructing volunteers at home on how to assemble the Buddy Poppies’ three components: flower, stem and label. Then, enough materials were delivered to the volunteers to locally build 500 Buddy Poppies. The process was based on America’s “cottage industry” idea of yesteryear. Quotas were met, delivery dates arranged, and VFW posts/auxiliaries were able to get their orders for Buddy Poppies met.
Why is this information important?
You will see Buddy Poppy campaigns spring up across America and throughout the calendar year. Freewill donations for the poppies create relief funds that VFW posts and their auxiliaries use in a variety of ways for veterans, their families and related projects. Memorial Day and Veterans Day are the traditional times for Buddy Poppy campaigns, but they can be held throughout the year. The poppies are built all year long, and we remember our fallen heroes, veterans and active-duty military personnel all year long. Every day is Veterans Day, and “No One Does More for Veterans” than the VFW and its auxiliaries.
So thank every veteran for his or her service whenever and wherever possible. Wear proudly a Buddy Poppy. Participate in a Buddy Poppy campaign when encountering one. Remembrance of our country’s troops who paid the ultimate sacrifice in their devotion to duty is a beautiful act. This year, remember all the volunteers who made sure the Buddy Poppy tradition continued in spite of COVID-19.
A special “thank-you” to Janie Dyhouse, who brought the Buddy Poppy volunteers’ story attention in the May 2021 issue of VFW Magazine.
The Rev. Dr. Michaele S. Russell
Secretary, VFW Auxiliary 7478
Greenwood
