Library’s Buddy Poppy display raises awareness for returning vets

In the lobby of the Maricopa Public Library is an impressive and patriotic Buddy Poppy display, crafted by Korean War veteran and Maricopa resident Bud Ryan.

The display features Ryan’s self sculpture of himself as a young man in the military. Adorned with Buddy Poppies, the sculpture and the display represent what Buddy Poppies mean for the Veterans of Foreign Wars: a tool to raise awareness for returning warriors, of whom approximately seven percent are currently women.

For almost 80 years 100 percent of the Buddy Poppy funds have gone to the orphans and widows’ assistance programs across the nation, as well as to local veterans in distress. Each year Maricopa’s local VFW Post 12043 holds three events to raise funds through Buddy Poppy drives, which take place on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the newly added Star Spangled Banner Day. The new event, added this year, commemorates the early 20th century efforts of the VFW in having the “Star Spangled Banner” named the country’s national anthem..

The use of the Buddy poppy began with a poem, “In Flanders Fields,” written by Canadian Army Col. John McCrae, MD (1872-1918):

“In Flanders Field the poppies blow
Between the crosses row by row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.”
 
Local residents have been extremely supportive of the Maricopa Veterans Center, which is now housed in the old library building adjacent to Rotary pool on the Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway. All local veterans are invited to get involved with the VFW Post that meets there. According to Ryan, any veteran needing help should contact Post 12043 Commander Gene Wood at 602-920-3933 or Ryan, Post Adjutant, at 520-568-2186.
 
“I urge our citizens, time permitting, to go to the library to view the display, a tribute to our fallen heroes, and to remember those who are, at this moment, defending our freedom just as I did some 60 years ago,” said Ryan. And, if you are so inclined, make a donation through the port hole in the front glass of the display in the name of freedom and remembrance.”

Photo by Joyce Hollis