May is traditionally known as “Buddy Poppy Month,” across the nation.
In Henryetta, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 539 marked that observance with a proclamation signed Thursday by mayor Michael Dickey. With him were VFW members "Rooster" Jackson and Tricia Bear. 
Post members will be distributing red buddy poppies at Walmart and Homeland May 20, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The local event is part of the annual event dating back to 1922 and is held along with the Memorial Day observance. The Buddy Poppy was designed to honor all of the soldiers in all of the wars, and it is the National flower of the National Memorial Day. All donations made to the VFW thru red buddy poppy drive helps veterans in so many ways. On May 26 at 9 a.m. VFW members will distribute poppy boards to local area businesses
Henryetta’s VFW helps veterans get their VA benefits, distributes food at the Feed the Vets program every 90 days, maintains all of the flags on Main Street, and we also sponsor the annual District 7 VFW Loyalty Days Family Freedom Festival to promote the American Spirit and community service.
In addition to those projects, the VFW places bronze military tombstone foot markers on the graves of soldiers, place flags on all military veterans graves at several cemeteries in Henryetta as well as the surrounding area cemeteries. Those flags will be placed May 27 at 10 a.m. in preparation for Memorial Day.
The annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held Monday, May 29 at 10 a.m. at the Veterans section at Westlawn Cemetery.