VFW set to hold annual poppy sales
Garden poppies may be done for the season, but handmade ones are popping up in Mount Clemens this and next weekend.
The vets from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Andreas Post 1794 in Mount Clemens are offering the bright red flower to motorists to raise money for the post’s welfare fund.
There is a drive-through collection 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 18-19 and Sept. 24-26 where the VFW members meet, AMVETS Post 29, at 1 Amvet Drive, Mount Clemens, south of Crocker Blvd. and east of northbound Main Street. Vets will be stationed under a free-standing canopy.
Ron Graus is commander of Post 1794.
“Because of the virus, we were not allowed to do the drive in the usual way this year. We are going to solicit donations and give out our poppies with this drive-through in the parking lot and see how it goes,” Graus said. “People can drive right in the entrance and go out the exit.”
A VFW post’s welfare fund is very specific. It has to go to veterans or military families where there is a personal need.
“The welfare fund could pay an electric bill, a gas bill or their house payment or rent. The requests for assistance come up before the board of directors,” Graus said.
The Mount Clemens post has 148 members and no longer has a building. A dozen workers will take poppy collection shifts. Membership meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month at the AMVETS post, and new members are welcome. Eligible veterans are those who served in a war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters.
The post’s hospital committee plans to return to its service at Martha T. Berry Medical Facility and the John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center, when the COVID-19 situation allows.
Shores VFW sells poppies
VFW Bruce Post 1146 in St. Clair Shores held a drive-through poppy drive in May and it worked out pretty well.
“Our Buddy Poppy Fund had a very good May,” Randell Shafer, commander of Post 1146, said. “Thank you to all who came to make a donation large and small. They all go to a worthy cause. Our mission includes, ‘to be here for those who need assistance and to be a patriotic presence in our community.’ I think we all do a great job at both.”
Richard Cwik is Post 1146 senior vice commander of its 933 members. Its auxiliary, comprising men and women, has 655 members.
“I thank everyone who came out and volunteered with our modified poppy drive this year,” Cwik said. “It was quite a success, especially due to the unique time we find ourselves in. This year is presenting new challenges for us, but with a little creativity, and support, this too shall pass.”
That post kept afloat this summer with Friday night car cruises, a fish fry and golf outing.
VFW “Buddy” Poppies are registered trademark artificial flowers. They are assembled mostly by disabled and low-income veterans who are paid for their work. The first distribution of that poppy was in 1922 and it was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
Besides providing assistance to the vets who assemble the flowers, the VFW “Buddy” Poppy program helps maintain state and national veterans’ rehabilitation and service programs, and supports the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Mich.
Funds help posts, vets
The VFW national headquarters launched an emergency financial grant program for posts impacted by COVID-19. The VFW Foundation Post Pandemic Relief Grant, for those posts that own or lease property, launches Oct. 1. Posts can apply to receive up to $2,500 in support toward mortgage or rent, utility bills and property taxes.
People may become supporters of the VFW through its Partners in Patriotism monthly giving program of a set amount every month. See vfw.org.
The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund provides emergency grants to help combat-era veterans and their families weather unforeseen, temporary financial emergencies. Emergency grants cover expenses such as utility bills, home repairs, transportation and mortgage assistance. For more information and to apply, visit michiganveterans.com/mvaaEmergencyAssistance or call 1-800-MICH-VET.
Masks part of vets’ uniform
Richard Stone is a physician and executive in charge of the Veterans Health Administration. He is a Michigan native and alumnus of the Wayne State
University School of Medicine. He is a retired Army major general and veteran of the war in Afghanistan.
He believes that veterans should wear masks in order to continue to serve their country.
In the publication “Health, Inside Veterans Health” by VAntage Point, he wrote:
“I remember many of the officers and sergeants who helped me through my early years in uniform who squared me away in both word and deed. They didn’t just tell me what to do; they were what to do,” Stone said. “The same was true for residents and attending physicians who trained me after I became a doctor. Everything they did had a purpose, and each action had a proper procedure. Over time, by modeling their behaviors, I learned how to safely care for my patients and protect myself and my employees.
“Veterans will always be seen as leaders because of their selfless service to the nation. Proper masking is just one way veterans lead in their communities. As both a combat veteran and a physician I am very proud, but not surprised, that veterans are continuing to lead in their communities by modeling proper masking and hand hygiene behavior.
“We were taught on our first day in the military that being at the right place at the right time in the right uniform with the right equipment could be the difference between life and death. Our squad members counted on us to be ready for the mission, because having the right equipment with us could save their lives. Wearing a mask does the same thing. Just as we reached for our helmet and weapon every day on the way to our missions, we now reach for our masks as a part of our routines.
“A common misconception is that we wear masks to protect ourselves. In fact, it is the opposite. We wear masks to protect others. Unlike a medical mask such as an N95 respirator, a homemade cloth face covering or dust mask from a hardware store likely won’t filter out the novel coronavirus. However, it will limit the virus from flying in the air to someone near you if you are infected. Yes, at times masks are hot and uncomfortable and fog up our glasses, but they are there to protect everyone around us from what we are breathing out. Simply put, by not wearing a mask, we put others in danger.
“Masks are required for everyone entering our facilities, but I ask you to take a cue from the veterans around you and make your mask a part of your everyday routine away from our facilities as well. This is not about being comfortable. It’s about saving lives. Current CDC guidance recommends everyone over the age of two wear a mask when in public settings and when around others who don’t live in their households, especially when other physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain.”
Veterans may highlight themselves by using the hashtag on social media #IwearAMask. For example: #IWearAMaskFor my children/my grandfather/ my fellow veterans.
“We are all facing this public health crisis together. Wearing a face mask outside of our homes is one of the most simple but important things we can do to save lives. I hope the next time you see someone in a mask and a T-shirt or ball cap which indicates that they served this country in uniform, you will thank them not only for their service but for keeping you safe, both then and now,” Stone said.