VFW Post 6291 Conducts Annual Poppy Drive

VFW Post 6291 and its auxiliary members are conducting their annual Buddy Poppy drive.

Single Buddy Poppies will be handed out to the public at Walmart in Murray, Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18.

All proceeds from the Buddy Poppy drives are used for the aid, relief and comfort of veterans, members of the armed forces and their dependents.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars adopted the poppy as its official flower in 1922, though its roots go back to Belgium during World War I, when Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae penned the poem, “In Flanders Field” in honor of a lost friend and comrade. At the memorial service, looking out at the graves on the battlegrounds, McCrae saw a sea of white crosses punctuated only by the bright red of the poppy flower – a brightness and symbol of life that survived even though so many had perished.

The flower reminds us of the sacrifices veterans have made, losing their lives or their health while defending our country and fighting for our freedom. It reminds us never to forget what they’ve done for us.

VFW Post 6291 and its auxiliary meet the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Commander Dave Wilson, at (270) 681-0662 or 873-5384, or email at VFWPost6291@gmail.com [Facebook page: VFW Post Murray]

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More on Buddy Poppy:

https://www.vfw.org/community/community-initiatives/buddy-poppy

https://vfwauxiliary.org/wp-content/uploads/Poppy-story.pdf

The Veterans Behind the “Buddy”® Poppy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TUjEMJjSZY