VFW Buddy Poppy
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Dawn Garin and Pat Shea
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Buddy Poppy Days, May 15 and 16, 2026
Merchants donate to help the cause. The poppy display says they care.
Pat Shea
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Buddy Poppies were offered at Fleet Farm and Walmart, along with Super One in Baxter and Brainerd for donations. Poppies are artificial with a wire stem for attaching to clothing. Pat Shea is the Buddy Puppy chairman at the Brainerd VFW. We are a non-profit 501 (c) (19) organization.
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May 15 and 16, 2026: Buddy Poppy donations at Walmart, Fleet Farm along with Super One in Brainerd and Baxter. Our thanks to the volunteers, including Cub Scout Pack 36.
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May 14, 2026: Interview heard on R&J Broadcasting's WWWI, KLKS, and KKIN radio stations in central Minnesota.
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Frank Parkison, morning host on R&J Broadcasting
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Brainerd VFW member Mark Persons
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May 16 and 17, 2025: Buddy Poppy Days in Brainerd raised money to help veterans in need. Thanks to members of the Brainerd Masonic Lodge who helped. Sue Sterling supplied 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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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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Thanks to the volunteers and businesses who contribute to make this program a success. No overhead, 100 percent of the money goes to help veterans in need.
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