Members of Benton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2671 and its auxiliaries will be taking donations for buddy poppies Oct. 20 and 21 on the Benton Public Square and near Walmart.
The auxiliary also will be taking donations for their well known "Poppy Plates" at area businesses and from individuals.
These "Poppy Plates" are decorated with poppies and identify the donors while being displayed in the post.
"VFW bylaws require that the proceeds on Buddy Poppies must be used to benefit disabled and needy veterans and the families of such veterans right here in the community," Post Commander Gary Fravel said.
In 1923, the VFW was the first veterans organization to promote a nationally organized campaign for the annual distribution of poppies.
The poppies are assembled by disabled or hospitalized veterans. That tradition continues today, with more that 18 million poppies assembled by paid, disabled and hospitalized veterans each year.
