Hillsboro mayor issues proclamation in honor of Buddy Poppy Month
Pictured, from left, are Roy Geiger and Dick Emery of the Hillsboro VFW Post 9094 and Hillsboro Mayor Justin Harsha. (HCP Photo/Caitlin Forsha)
On Monday, May 1, Hillsboro Mayor Justin Harsha issued a proclamation in honor of Buddy Poppy Month in the city of Hillsboro.
Accepting the proclamation were Dick Emery and Roy Geiger of VFW Post 9094.
The proclamation encourages Hillsboro residents to “acknowledge the significance, goodwill and importance the VFW holds in our fair city 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 of the freedoms which we continue to enjoy as American citizens.”
According to the proclamation, “The annual sale of Buddy Poppies by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has been officially recognized and endorsed by governmental leaders since 1922.”
Buddy Poppies, which “honor the dead by helping the living,” will be available by donation at various locations throughout the month of May. The VFW members left a canister of Buddy Poppies at the Hillsboro City Building for individuals to pick up for a donation. According to Emery, some other area businesses where poppies will be sold are Community Markets, Ponderosa Steakhouse and Save-a-Lot.
As was also noted in the proclamation and by VFW representatives, Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled veterans. All proceeds from the sale of the 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 a year-round project, but May is the special month for doing that,” Geiger said. “All the money that is collected does stay here in Highland County for the veterans and disabled veterans, and we appreciate it.”
For more information on supporting the Buddy Poppies fundraiser, please contact the VFW at (937) 393-0211.