VFW Post 8870 offering the Buddy Poppy at local stores this weekend

On Friday and Saturday, May 26-27, Edmonds’ Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8870 will continue its Memorial Day weekend tradition of distributing the “Buddy Poppy” — this year at three locations.

The VFW Post never sells the Buddy Poppy — it is offered freely to all to wear in honor of the fallen. The post asks that you please accept it when offered and wear in it remembrance.

The VFW does 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.

According to a VFW Post 8870 announcement, 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” at Edmonds Westgate and Mukilteo Speedway QFC stores as well as at Town & Country Market in Mill Creek.

  1. Here is Dr. McCrae’s great poem in full~

    In Flanders fields the poppies blow
    Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
    Scarce heard amid the guns below.

    We are the Dead. Short days ago
    We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
    In Flanders fields.

    Take up our quarrel with the foe:
    To you from failing hands we throw
    The torch; be yours to hold it high.
    If ye break faith with us who die
    We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
    In Flanders fields.

  2. I appreciate the Buddy Poppy presence numerous times a year. I have tried numerous time to contact anybody from Salvation Army and suggest they “ring the bell” for donations around the July 4 holiday … a great organization that could benefit during a great American holiday. Is anybody out there who can put a word in their ear? Thank you!

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Your email address will not be published.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.