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VFW Post 9972
Sierra Vista, AZ 85626
The Buddy Poppy
The Buddy Poppy is a small silk flower, made by hospitalized veterans in Veterans Administration Medical Centers
throughout the nation. It is based on the poem called "In Flanders Field",
written by Lt. Col. John McCrae, M.D. (a Canadian physician) while serving at a medical station in Ypres during World War
I; the poem goes like this:
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.
Since that time, the poppy, in one form or another, has become the symbol of veterans throughout the world.
Several nations use a poppy to raise funds for their veterans programs. In the United States, the Veterans of Foreign
Wars and other Veteran Service Organizations hold annual drives, distributing the cheery red flower, and accepting donations.
Drives may be held at any time, but are most often conducted at Memorial Day and Veterans Day, when the nation takes time
to remember our Veterans' sacrifice.
Posts and Auxiliary units must purchase their supply of Poppies distributed in the drives. The cost
of the Poppies is used to pay the Veterans who make them at the Nation's VA Medical Centers. Also, a small portion of
the cost of the Poppies goes to support the VFW National Home for Children.
After the Poppies are purchased, they are distributed both to VFW members and in the community, or they are
used in decorations. According to the VFW National Bylaws, 100% of the proceeds from
the Poppy drives are to be placed in the Post Relief Fund, to be used solely for assistance to veterans and their families.
Not one cent of Poppy proceeds can be used for general expenses of the organization. Their sole purpose is to help veterans
in need. The VFW alone raises millions of dollars nationwide each year for this purpose.
I am the Commander for POST 9972 in Sierra Vista Arizona and I'm bound and determined to raise as much
money as I can for our Veterans Program. All proceeds raised on this Website will go solely to our Post Relief Fund.
My goal is to raise more money than ever before so when there's a need, we have the funds. Please help our POST and
our fellow comrades by making a small donation through our Website for our Buddy Poppy Program. Any donation is welcome!
Once a donation is made, we will then send you a Buddy Poppy for your generous donation. We thank you so much and wish
you and your family and friends many happy years ahead. Thank you.
To make a donation, please send it to TJ6 Enterprises, P.O. Box 2801, Sierra Vista, AZ 85636. Please
make the check or money order out to VFW Post 9972. If you would like to make a donation through paypal, then send your
donation to tangles99@earthlink.net and we will notify you of your payment and send a Buddy Poppy to you immediately. Once again, thanks so much for your
intertest and definately your help. With you, our Post and our Veterans will have the help needed. Thanks again
and God Bless!
Sincerely Yours
Commander Tim Borland, Post 9972 |
