Commissioners proclaim May as Buddy Poppy Month
Highland County commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing the month of May as Buddy Poppy Month, which was accepted by local VFW representatives. Pictured (l-r) are commissioner David Daniels; Dwight Reynolds, Roni Reynolds, Kathe Chaney, Steph Roland, Roy Geiger, David DeAtley and dog Raider of VFW Post 9094 and Auxiliary; and commissioners Brad Roades and Terry Britton. (HCP Photo/Caitlin Forsha)
Highland County commissioners Brad Roades, Terry Britton and David Daniels issued a proclamation recognizing the month of May as Buddy Poppy Month in Highland County at the start of their Wednesday, April 23 meeting.
Accepting the proclamation were poppy committee chair David DeAtley, Roy Geiger and Dwight Reynolds of the VFW Post 9094 and Kathe Chaney, Roni Reynolds and Steph Roland of the VFW Post 9094 Ladies Auxiliary.
Buddy Poppies have been sold by VFW organizations since 1922. All donations from the sale of Buddy Poppies stay in the county and are put into the VFW’s relief fund, which is used to help local veterans. The poppies are also assembled by disabled veterans.
“I just want everybody to know that the money will stay local,” Dwight Reynolds said. “It's not going to DC or anywhere else. It’s to help local veterans and their families in need. Anything that's donated would be staying local, and it's greatly appreciated.”
Buddy Poppies, which “honor the dead by helping the living,” will be available by donation at various locations throughout the month of May. According to Reynolds, representatives from area veterans organizations will be selling poppies at businesses across Hillsboro, including Kroger. However, in response to a question from Britton, Reynolds said that they accept donations year-round.
After meeting with the group, Roades read the proclamation to proclaim May as Buddy Poppy Month in Highland County and to encourage the community to “acknowledge the significance, goodwill and importance that the VFW holds” and “to wear a Buddy Poppy as mute evidence of our gratitude to the men and women of this country who have risked their lives in defense for the freedoms which we continue to enjoy as American citizens.”
For more information on supporting the Buddy Poppies fundraiser, please contact the VFW at (937) 393-0211.
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