VFW Auxiliary presents poppies

Following some of the worst battles of World War I, poppies sprouted in fields where countless soldiers had died. Being one of the earliest and only blooming flowers of those fields led them to become a symbol of remembrance around the world for all those servicemen who had served and perished during combat.

In the United States, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary (VFWA) pass out poppies made by veterans throughout Veterans Adminis- tration hospitals across the country as part of their “Buddy”Poppy Program. In purchasing the “Buddy” poppies from those veterans, the VFW provides monetary support to state and national veterans’ service and rehabilitation programs, the veterans who assemble the poppies, and helps support, in part, the VFW National Home for Children, which serves the families of veterans and servicemen and women in a multitude of ways and enhances their quality of life.

Last Friday, Bristow’s VFWA Post 3656 handed out “Buddy” poppies to veterans arriving at the Freeland Center for the Veterans Day assembly. VFWA President Virginia Ray noted that members desired to honor veterans and decided to pass out poppies to those veterans in attendance. VFWA members Virginia Ray, Mary Stubblefield, Ruth Jaytanie, Sheryl Cortez, and Carolyn Kuykendall greeted veterans and assembly attendees, presenting a poppy and pamphlet about the poppies to each veteran.

Visit VFW Post 3656 and Wake Island Memorial to learn more about the organization and auxiliary, inquire about joining, or learn how best to support veterans locally. The VFW and VFWA hold monthly meetings at the Bristow VFW post on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.