Cutline: Alachua County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2811 Trustee Gary McCrea, left, and Senior Vice Commander Jim Johnson help with the organization’s Buddy Poppy program. The two Vietnam War veterans were among several in the post who helped raise more than $5,000 last year to benefit VFW programs. Photo special to Alachua County Today by Michael P. Mauer

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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ALACHUA COUNTY - Spring is on the way, which means wildflowers are starting to bloom on the county’s road right of way thanks to the Wildflower Program maintained by the Alachua County Public Works Department. The county’s wildflower program is a collaborative effort with the Florida Wildflower Foundation, the Florida Department of Transportation District 2, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, and the Gainesville Garden Club.

 Almost 300 acres of the county’s right of ways are included in the Wildflower Program. On these roads, only the first ten feet from the edge of the pavement will be mowed between Valentine’s Day (February 14) and Memorial Day (May 26). The safety strip provides a safe place to pull off the road in an emergency.

Information about Florida wildflowers:

 Roadside wildflowers support Florida farms. 40% of Florida’s crop plants benefit from the same pollinators that are supported by roadside wildflowers.

• Coreopsis, a whole genus of wildflowers, was adopted as the Florida State Wildflower in 1991.
• Coreopsis, commonly called “Tick-Seed,” came from a Greek-derived botanical name that translates to “bug view.”
• There are 15 species of Coreopsis occurring in Florida, 12 of which are considered native.
• Of the five species of Coreopsis found here in Alachua County, four are considered native.
• January and February are peak seasons for native violets (Viola sp.) and Innocence (Houstonia procumbens).
• Whenever we have a rain event, it is common to see our native rain lilies (Zephyranthes sp.) emerge with blooms.

 The Alachua County Wildflower Program is under the supervision of Public Works Horticulturist Neil Greishaw.

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OCALA – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the groundbreaking of a major expansion of Interstate 75, marking the start of construction on over 31 miles of new auxiliary lanes between State Road 44 in Wildwood and State Road 326 in Ocala. The project, part of the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, is fully funded and launching 10 to 15 years ahead of schedule in an effort to alleviate growing traffic congestion in the region.

“We launched Moving Florida Forward in 2023 to accelerate road projects with an emphasis on alleviating traffic,” DeSantis said. “We are accelerating this I-75 project near Ocala because residents and visitors alike need relief from the congestion. This project was not slated to begin for another 10-15 years, but thanks to our program, construction is now underway.”

With an estimated 114,000 vehicles traveling this corridor daily, the expansion aims to reduce congestion, improve safety, and enhance mobility for both local commuters and travelers. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E., emphasized the project's economic benefits, estimating a $2.3 billion impact on the region.

“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, congestion relief along I-75 will be delivered 10-15 years ahead of schedule,” Perdue said.

The Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, launched in 2023, is a $4 billion effort aimed at fast-tracking transportation projects statewide. FDOT identified high-priority road projects that were previously approved but lacked the necessary funding to begin construction. The initiative, funded through the state’s General Revenue Surplus, is designed to relieve traffic congestion, improve roadway safety, and enhance Florida’s supply chain infrastructure.

At least 20 major interstate and roadway projects have been expedited under Moving Florida Forward, including:

• I-4 Expansion in Polk and Osceola Counties – Addition of express lanes to reduce congestion and streamline travel into Orlando.
• I-275 Expansion in Pinellas County – New regular and express lanes projected to cut travel delays by 85%, improving a key hurricane evacuation route.
• Golden Glades Interchange Redesign in Miami-Dade County – Improved connectivity between I-95 and major road corridors in the region.
• Fruitville Interchange Reconstruction in Sarasota County – Conversion to a Diverging Diamond Interchange, increasing capacity by 40,000 vehicles and reducing conflict points.
• S. 98 Widening in Bay County – A project aimed at enhancing access to local businesses and increasing capacity in Panama City Beach.
• S. 301 Realignment in Sumter County – A redesign projected to reduce peak-hour delays by up to 94%, improving access to Florida’s Turnpike.

The I-75 expansion in Ocala is one of many efforts underway to modernize Florida’s transportation network and accommodate rapid population growth and increased tourism. By fast-tracking these projects, Florida aims to reduce traffic bottlenecks, support economic development, and ensure safer, more efficient roadways for years to come.

With construction now officially underway, Ocala-area residents and travelers can expect major improvements along I-75.

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The Alachua County Commission continues its community input sessions for the Forward Focus initiative, designed to enhance quality of life, boost economic opportunities, and address community needs in Eastern Alachua County. Following productive meetings in Hawthorne and Waldo, the project team will hold two additional sessions this month.

“The feedback we’ve received so far has been incredibly valuable,” said Missy Daniels, assistant county manager and Forward Focus team lead. “We’re learning so much about the priorities and concerns of residents in Eastern Alachua County, and we encourage everyone to participate in these important conversations.”

The upcoming community input sessions are:

• Micanopy: Thursday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m. at Micanopy City Hall (706 NE Cholokka Blvd., Micanopy)
• Monteocha Area: March meeting place and time to be announced soon

At each meeting, attendees will:

• Learn more about the Forward Focus project goals and timeline.
• Provide feedback that will help shape a community-wide survey.
• Network with neighbors and local leaders.

Forward Focus: Eastern Alachua County is a three-year project designed to improve the quality of life, boost economic opportunities, and address community needs in the eastern part of the county. These community input sessions are crucial for developing a comprehensive plan that reflects the unique needs and aspirations of this region.

Learn more about the project and provide comments directly to the county.

For more information about Forward Focus: Eastern Alachua County, please contact us at 352-374-5204 or ForwardFocus@alachuacounty.us.

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