Members of the Henryetta VFW Post 539 will be selling Buddy Poppies this month. The annual fundraising effort was marked with a proclamation signed by mayor Jennifer Clason designating May as “Buddy Poppy Month.”
Post Commander Bill Goodner said he and second vice commander Jewett Nelson will be passing out cards bearing the red flowers made by disabled, needy and aging veterans throughout the country.
The Buddy Poppy proceeds provide no profit to the local post but, rather, all money contributed is used for the welfare of veterans or the well being of their needy dependents and orphans.
In 1923, VFW members decided the Buddy Poppies would be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with financial assistance. The next year, disabled veterans at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW Buddy Poppies. The designation "Buddy Poppy" was adopted at that time.
Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals.