Honoring veterans, one poppy at a time, VFW’s Buddy Poppy tradition supports Alachua County heroes

ALACHUA COUNTY ‒ Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Senior Vice Commander Jim Johnson wakes up early on Buddy Poppy days. As only a disciplined sailor can, he goes through the logistical requirements for a new campaign.

Chairs, check. Tables and posters, check. Collection jar, check.

Like the crew on a ship, his and many other hands have helped national, state and county governments establish and maintain programs to benefit those who served in the United States military.

And for more than a century, a small red flower has been near the core of this work.

“Of all the great programs the VFW has, I feel this is the best one,” Johnson said. “We’re able to get out and meet people, plus raise money to help those less fortunate.”

Along with the Gainesville unit, many VFW posts in Florida conduct Buddy Poppy fundraisers at various retail establishments and public spaces. Usually scheduled around Memorial Day, Veterans Day or Patriots Day weekends, Buddy Poppy distribution has become a well-established tradition. Headed by individual post Buddy Poppy chairpersons like Johnson, this activity allows those who appreciate the VFW’s good work to show support for area soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardians and Marines.

“These poppies aren’t for sale.” said Johnson, a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam. “I tell people that these poppies were paid for by our country’s heroes.”

“We do accept donations to help local veterans,” he said. “To wear a poppy is to show support for those who served.”

Among all the flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of battle is the red poppy. It became linked with war after the publication of a poem written by Lt. Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, "In Flanders Fields," describes blowing red fields of poppies among the battleground of the fallen.

The VFW was the first veterans' organization to adopt the poppy and develop a national distribution campaign. Since 1922, the VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans' welfare, as well as their dependents. From the very beginning, the Buddy Poppy has received the support of the Veterans Administration, and the endorsement and cooperation of all United States presidents since Warren G. Harding.

Johnson said VFW Post 2811 in Gainesville raised more than $5,000 last year from its Buddy Poppy program. Its tradition of helping Alachua County veterans began when the post was mustered in May 21, 1933.

“Every nickel donated by fellow citizens here went to helping veterans and our community,” he said. “It was a great effort, and I can’t thank my fellow post members and neighbors enough.”

Veterans of Foreign Wars Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled, needy and aging veterans in VA hospitals and domiciliary homes across the country, and distributed by VFW posts and their auxiliaries. The cost of Buddy Poppies to VFW posts provides added money to the veterans who assemble the flowers, and also generates funding for state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs. Additionally, the program partially supports the VFW National Home for orphans and widows of United States veterans.

Last year, VFW Post 2811 kept up a schedule of nine Buddy Poppy engagements. So far the post is two engagements into a more ambitious 10-event season. The next Buddy Poppy drive is scheduled for March 8 at the corner of Northwest 39^th Avenue and Northwest 13^th Street, Gainesville.

“Since the first of this year, we’ve collected $670,” said Johnson. “We’re hoping to do better as the year goes on.”

Just as VFW Post 2811 does in Alachua County, the VFW Department of Florida and the VFW of the United States supports all veterans and their families to obtain veterans' entitlements and other services. In addition, the national and state organizations also work for the welfare of those serving on active duty, in the National Guard and the Reserves.

Those interested in VFW Post 2811 and its activities can call 352-376-7660.

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Michael P. Mauer is a life member of VFW Post 2811. He served as an Army photojournalist during Operation Desert Storm, and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal by Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf for his actions during the war. This past year, Mauer won the Silver Award for top feature article in the VFW National Publications Contest.

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