Col. John McCrae’s immortal poem, In Flanders Fields , was dedicated to the memory of the men and women who served, fought, and died in France during World War I. Over thr years, the poppies he wrote about in that poem have become the symbol of all those who have given their lives in the nation’s wars.
The poppy has become recognized as the memorial flower in countries throughout the world. It is distributed by veterans organizations in Europe, North America, and most of the countries in the British commonwealth.
Since 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. has conducted an annual distribution of Buddy Poppies to raise funds for its charitable programs on behalf of needy and disabled veterans and surviving family members of deceased veterans. More than $10 million is raised each year through the distribution of the poppies, all strictly accounted for and dedicated entirely to veteran welfare.
Michael J. O’Steen, Senior Vice Commander of the Dept. of Georgia Veterans of Foreign Wars, invites locals to give generously all day this Saturday at Tractor Supply Company of Douglas. He and other volunteers will be on hand accepting contributions for the Buddy Poppies, which the veterans worked hard to assemble.
For more information, contact O’Steen at (912) 389-2701.