VFW Buddy Poppy
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Pat Shea
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May 16 and 17, 2025: Buddy Poppies were offered at Fleet Farm, Cub in Baxter, Cub in Brainerd, Super One in Baxter and Walmart for donations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8MzZdF1CAs Pat Shea is the Buddy Puppy chairman at the Brainerd VFW.
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May 16 and 17, 2025: Buddy Poppy Days in Brainerd raised money to help veterans in need. There was a short Brainerd Dispatch newspaper story. Members of the Brainerd Masonic Lodge helped out too. Thanks to Sue Sterling for some of the photos.
Mark Persons and Zach Mahoney on KLIZ Radio
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Mark Persons and Brad Mielke on WWWI Radio
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Poppy Days Radio Interviews, May 2025:
Announcer: Spring is when we donate and wear VFW Buddy Poppies. In studio with us today is Mark Persons, member of the Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
Mark: Poem by WWI soldier John McCrae. “In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row.” That describes those who died. But to help the living, Brainerd VFW members will be offering handmade red Poppies at Fleet Farm, Super One, and Walmart along with the Cubs in Brainerd and Baxter on May 16th and 17th.
Announcer: How much?
Mark: In my experience, Buddy Poppy donations range from pocket change to $20. ALL proceeds go to veterans in need! No money is taken out for expenses. The VFW is about “veterans helping veterans.” I am glad and proud to be a part of that. I say, “Donate and wear a Buddy Poppy proudly on May 16th and 17th.”
Announcer: Learn more at: BrainerdVFW.org
Announcer: Spring is when we donate and wear VFW Buddy Poppies. In studio with us today is Mark Persons, member of the Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
Mark: Poem by WWI soldier John McCrae. “In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row.” That describes those who died. But to help the living, Brainerd VFW members will be offering handmade red Poppies at Fleet Farm, Super One, and Walmart along with the Cubs in Brainerd and Baxter on May 16th and 17th.
Announcer: How much?
Mark: In my experience, Buddy Poppy donations range from pocket change to $20. ALL proceeds go to veterans in need! No money is taken out for expenses. The VFW is about “veterans helping veterans.” I am glad and proud to be a part of that. I say, “Donate and wear a Buddy Poppy proudly on May 16th and 17th.”
Announcer: Learn more at: BrainerdVFW.org
April 23, 2025: Volunteers are out collecting Buddy Poppy donations from local businesses. More volunteers make the campaign even better. Contact Pat Shea to help out. 206-419-3757.
(l-r) Mark Persons and Cathy Roehl at the New Concepts Hair and Nail Salon in Brainerd.
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Poppies were offered at Brainerd area stores on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, 2024. ALL of the money raised goes to help veterans in need. Just some of the many on the Buddy Poppy Drive.
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Brainerd VFW Quartermaster Pat Wing.
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Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President Sue Sterling.
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May 20, 2023: It was Armed Forces Day. Members of the Brainerd VFW and Auxiliary were out offering Buddy Poppies to the public at local stores for donations. They were aided by volunteers, including a scout troop.
Radio advertising |
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May 19, 2023: The annual Poppy Drive has started. Members of Brainerd VFW Post 1647 and Auxiliary were out at local stores offering poppies for donations. All money goes to needy veterans. There are no administrative expenses. Donate and wear your proudly.
Mark Persons on the Poppy Drive at local businesses.
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Jeff McArthur collecting donations for Buddy Poppies.
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2023 Poppy Drive
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April 12, 2023: Four members gathered at the Brainerd VFW to put poppies on cards. Then volunteers take the cards to businesses who donate to the fund. This will go on until the May 19th and 20th when individual poppies will be offered at store entrances around Brainerd. Donate and wear a poppy proudly.
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Download and print the above document. > |
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May 20, 2022: Brainerd VFW and Auxiliary volunteers offered Buddy Poppies on street corners May 20 and 21, 2022. Poppy displays went to businesses which donated in May. 100% of the money goes to needy and disabled veterans. The Brainerd VFW pays the cost of materials.
Brainerd VFW members putting together Poppy cards March 30, 2022
Letter below is from May 2021:
2019 Poppy Campaign
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2020 Poppy Campaign
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Buddy Poppies are the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Donations for poppies started in 1922 to help disabled veterans. Poppies are assembled by disabled veterans in VA Hospitals.
All expenses are paid locally by the Brainerd VFW, then 100% of the money raised goes to needy veterans locally. 2019: Brainerd VFW members, including Maurey Mogensen, Dawn Garin, Bob Marsh, Tim Brastrup and Mark Persons, asked for donations from local businesses in May. In return, businesses received a display telling customers they support veterans. Mark was also heard on six local radio stations telling about the program. |
 John McCrae
1872 - 1918
In Flanders Fields BY JOHN MCCRAE
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. |
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Donate and wear a Buddy Poppy proudly. It is the right thing to do. Photos below is from 2016 - 2019: |
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Thanks to the volunteers, citizens and businesses who contribute to make this program a success for helping disabled and needy veterans. 100 percent of the money goes to help veterans. |
