VFW Buddy Poppy Sales Support Veterans
By Tracy Rolling

Madolyn Gifford, VFW Post 3783 Manager, and former Post Chaplain Andy Mandichak, display Buddy Poppy Boards for sale at the post during the Memorial Day weekend. Photos by Tracy Rolling

Who knew that a poem written on April 15, 1915 by Col. John McCrae of Canada would inspire, honor and raise money for veterans around the world?

The poem titled "In Flanders Fields" is more than just three short verses penned by a battle-weary solider. They are the sentiments of one man and his observation of life amidst a grave-ridden countryside.

During World War I, his words would inspire millions and transformed the red poppy flowers into a symbol of hope and faith for veterans everywhere.

This is according to members of the Archie G. McArthur Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3783 in Ramona, and literature distributed by the Untied States VFW.

During the Memorial Day weekend, Ramona VFW will not only observe the sacred holiday, but volunteers will carry on the pledge to "Honor the Dead by Helping the Living" and sell Buddy Poppies at the post and storefronts around town.

Volunteers, from left, Juanita Curtis, Carol Littlefield and Beverly Erbacher weave together red poppies that will be placed at gravesites for a special Memorial Day service held at Nuevo Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Thousands of volunteers worldwide will hold up canisters in hopes of collecting donations that go directly to support veterans and their families.

George Little of Ramona is one such volunteer.

"I started collecting donations in 1936 when my dad was stationed in Michigan," said Little. Today, he still collects donations and said, "I start really early in the morning and stay out all day. In the end, I'm always impressed with how generous our community is."

Other local volunteers include members of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, Boy Scouts and VFW Women's Auxiliary, who incidentally make the grave markers placed at the Nuevo Memory Gardens on the Friday before Memorial Day.

"We weave together 20 red poppies on a skewer," said volunteer Juanita Curtis, adding, "We've made several hundred of them for local Scouts to place next to soldiers' gravesides at Nuevo Cemetery for a special Memorial Day service."

In addition to the storefront donations, there are Buddy Poppy Boards available for sale at the Post.

"People can add their name, or the name of a loved one as a way of bringing honor and remembering members of the Armed Forces on Memorial Day," said Madolyn Gifford, Ramona VFW manager.

Gifford said, "The suggested donation for the Buddy Poppies Boards range between $3 and $10." She also said that the semi-annual campaign is held in May during the Memorial Day weekend and in November on Veterans Day.

The Buddy Poppies are projected to generate as much as $15 million in annual donations, worldwide. These funds support counseling services, activities and other vital programs for servicemen and service women, veterans, widows and orphans of deceased veterans.

A portion of the funds will go to disabled vets who are responsible for assembling the poppies. The work serves as therapy for the mind and hands of men and women who are in hospitals and use wheelchairs.

As coined by the U.S. VFW, "When you are handed a Buddy Poppy, give generously. And when you wear a poppy, do it proudly."

For information on Buddy Poppy sales or for the date and time of the Memorial Day Services held at Nuevo Memory Gardens Cemetery, please visit Archie G. McArthur VFW Post 3783 in Ramona at 2247 Kelly Street or online at www.vfw3783.com.