Local veterans distribute ‘Buddy Poppies’

By Robert Whale • November 9, 2023 7:00 am
Courtesy photo, Tony Dohse VFW Post 1741 members who distributed Buddy Poppies to honor veterans living and dead last Saturday in front of Haggen in Lakeland Hills are from left to right: Frank Bannister, Roger Flygare, Derek Dean, Mike Sepal, John Boterf, Tony Dohse, Eric Schlichte and Cory Rueb.
Courtesy photo, Tony Dohse VFW Post 1741 members who distributed Buddy Poppies to honor veterans living and dead last Saturday in front of Haggen in Lakeland Hills are from left to right: Frank Bannister, Roger Flygare, Derek Dean, Mike Sepal, John Boterf, Tony Dohse, Eric Schlichte and Cory Rueb.

Last Saturday, members of VFW Post 1741 in Auburn met in front of the Haggen grocery store in Lakeland Hills to distribute blood red “Buddy Poppies,” carrying on a tradition that dates to 1922, respecting Veterans Day and Memorial Day activities at VFW Posts throughout the country.

This red flower of remembrance is the VFW’s tribute to veterans who did not return home and those who were disabled or scarred for life. Bylaws of the VFW designate the proceeds for Post Relief Funds that assist disabled veterans, or for maintaining the National Home or similar facilities dedicated to the care of veterans.

Since 1922, VFW members have distributed more than 1 billion Buddy Poppies, when the organization adopted the flower, and they have enjoyed broad popular support ever since.

When COVID-19 shut down Buddy Poppy assembly centers, VFW members mobilized across the country to build nearly two years’ worth of the red flowers of remembrance.

Information for this article was featured in the 2022 August issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Janie Dyhouse, senior editor for VFW magazine.