Annual Buddy Poppies Sale Blossoms for Vets

The mayor presented a proclamation Tuesday night to members of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, encouraging Parsippany-Troy Hills residents to purchase Buddy Poppies in honor of the nation’s fallen soldiers.

Mayor James Barberio explained that the VFW has sold Buddy Poppies—artificial red flowers—every year since the early 1920s raise funds in support of disabled veterans, as well as the widows and orphans of fallen soldiers.

“I urge our patriotic citizens to wear a Buddy Poppy as mute evidence of our gratitude to the men and women of this country who have risked their lives in defense of the freedom we continue to enjoy as American citizens,” Barberio said.

After accepting the proclamation from the mayor, Gary Erdmann, commander of VFW Post 10148 in Parsippany, explained that VFW posts throughout the country sell millions of poppies each year throughout May in honor of National Military Appreciation Month and as a lead-in to Memorial Day.

“The VFW urge you to make a donation and wear a poppy proudly so that those who gave their lives know they are not forgotten and that they can rest in peace,” Erdmann said

After speaking, Erdmann handed out poppies to each of the council members.

“Please be as generous as you can with the poppies,” Council President John Fox said. “You could give them a million dollars, and it won’t pay for what they’ve already done for us and this country.”