Edmonds VFW Post 8870 distributing ‘Buddy Poppy’ in honor of fallen

Local veterans, from left, Duane Bowman, Don Stapleton, Alden Gilliland and Rose Gilliland.

Each year, as part of Memorial Day observances to honor comrades who never again saw home and family, Edmonds Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8870 distributes the “Buddy Poppy” at four locations in the Edmonds/Lynnwood area.

According to a post announcement, VFW never sells the Buddy Poppy — it is offered freely to all to wear in honor of the fallen. You are encouraged to accept it when offered and wear in it remembrance. VFW does, however, gladly accept donations at all distribution locations. Those funds are used for a variety of efforts in support of veterans of all conflicts and their families, from the remaining survivors of World War II, to the young men and women of the post 9/11 era.

The poppy became a symbol of fallen soldiers as a result of a poem written by Col. John McCrae, a Canadian veteran of WW1. Its poignant phrases apply to more recent casualties just as well as to those of World War I and begins:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow 
Between the crosses row on row…

You will find members of Post 8870 distributing “Buddy Poppies” (as well as copies of the poem) at QFC stores at Westgate, Mukilteo Speedway and at 196th & 76, Lynnwood, as well as the Fred Meyer at 164th and Alderwood Mall Blvd.  

The post announcement concludes: “Stop by. Tell us the stories of your families and friends so that we may honor them as well and walk away wearing a Buddy Poppy in their memory. Let us never forget.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Real first and last names — as well as city of residence — are required for all commenters.
This is so we can verify your identity before approving your comment.

By commenting here you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct. Please read our code at the bottom of this page before commenting.