Boise Mayor Bieter to Declare Buddy Poppy Days

The declaration will begin the annual drive which is a major fund raiser for the VFW to support veterans and veteran programs. If you see a veteran, donate generously and wear your Buddy Poppy to honor our veterans.
By: John Waddell
 
May 3, 2010 - PRLog -- Boise, Idaho  -- Members of Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post 63 will kickoff their annual Buddy Poppy Campaign on Friday, May 7th at 2 pm by a proclamation by Boise Mayor Bieter.  The Mayor will declare at City Hall that May 7th through the Memorial Day are Buddy Poppy Days in Boise. The annual campaign will run through Memorial Day, Monday, May 31st when VFW volunteers will distribute Buddy Poppies.  This is the second year that Mayor Bieter has made this important proclamation.  Please look for VFW members and volunteers at local stores and venues and give generously.

Each year around Memorial Day, Veterans of Foreign Wars members distribute millions of bright red poppies in exchange for contributions to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans. The program provides multiple benefits to the veterans and to the community. The hospitalized veterans who make the flowers are able to earn a small wage, which helps to supplement their incomes and makes them feel more self-sufficient. The physical and mental activity provides many therapeutic benefits as well. Donations are used exclusively to assist and support veterans and their families.

The poppy also reminds the community of the past sacrifices and continuing needs of our veterans. The poppy has become a nationally known and recognized symbol of sacrifice and is worn to honor the men and women who served and died for their country in all wars.

“This is our most important fund raising event of the year, “says VFW Post 63 Commander Glenn Nielsen.  “Our most critical veteran’s programs are funded by the donations gathered by the Buddy Poppy Campaign.”  

The VFW conducted its first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Among all the flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war is the red poppy, which became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, "In Flander's Field," describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen.

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About the VFW and Capitol City Post 63

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest and oldest organization of war veterans.

Capitol City Post 63 is the oldest and largest post in the State of Idaho. Capitol City Post 63 and its Auxiliary are dedicated to "honor the dead by helping the living" by serving veterans directly, sponsoring youth programs, conducting Buddy Poppy drives and providing military service programs. For more information, to join or volunteer, visit the VFW Post 63 Web site at www.vfwpost63.org.
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Source:John Waddell
Email:***@vfwpost63.org
Tags:Veterans, Boise, Idaho, Mayor Bieter, Event, Non-profit
Industry:Volunteer, Veterans, Event
Location:Boise - Idaho - United States
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