The Vallejo/American Canyon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1123 was unable to distribute Buddy Poppies this year on Memorial Day due to COVID-19. The group will, however, be distributing the poppies in a “drive-up” fashion this weekend.
The poppies are assembled by wounded veterans who are financially unstable and in need of work, according to chapter. The poppies are generally assembled in VA hospitals.
The Buddy Poppy program has a long history, going back to 1922, and the Vallejo post has the distinction of being the first group to organize a national distribution.
The idea for the wearable poppies comes from John McRae’s old 1915 poem “In Flanders Fields,” inspired by the brutal fighting of World War One. The poem refers to red poppies that grew over the graves of soldiers. Now “remembrance poppies” are synonymous with the remembrance of fallen soldiers.
It has been a Memorial Day tradition to sell the poppies at Safeway and Walmart stores in the area, but this year people can drive up to get theirs at the Veterans Memorial Building at 420 Admiral Callaghan Lane, and also the American Canyon Veterans Memorial Park 2801 Broadway St..
Masks and social distancing will be required.
Representatives of the post will also be on hand to help veterans with benefit information. American flag kits will also be available while supplies last.
In addition to assisting veterans, the money raised by the poppies funds the VFW National Home For Children Program.
The distribution will run Veterans Day week on Saturday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
