It was a triple win for members of Roscoe VFW Post 2955, in the annual Buddy Poppy State Championship held in Springfield, IL. Post veterans and auxiliary members came home with a first and second place win for the auxiliary and a second place win for the veterans in the annual contest.
In 2012, Post members took the top honors at the national competition in Reno, NV. Since that time, they have consistently placed first or second in state competitions.
Bill Graves is the Buddy Poppy Chairman for Post 2955 and District 6. Graves and auxiliary member Cathy Suchoski and their crews worked many hours to create and assemble the displays.
In June, at least 48 Posts from around the Midwest traveled to Springfield with their entries.
Every display is made of hundreds, if not thousands of paper poppies, and are represented in three categories: Category 1 - Store or window displays; category 2 - Memorial or Inspirational Displays; and category 3 - Artistic or Decorative Displays.
The Post Auxiliary used 6,185 poppies to win the first place award in category 2, for a display that depicted the six branches of the military.
The auxiliary’s display of the Unknown Soldier Tomb, using 3,830 poppies, placed second in category 2. Post 2955 veterans won a second place award in category 2.
In November, the three displays will be moved to the Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St., in Rockford.
The history of Buddy Poppy dates back to 1924, and was inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written by John McCrae, who was struck by the sight of red poppies growing on the field of battle during World War I.
The poppy flower was adopted as the official VFW memorial flower, as a symbol of the blood that was shed by American service members and reminds us that their sacrifices will not be forgotten.
You'll never miss a story when you subscribe to Rockton-Roscoe News - it's free, daily, and comes by email.
Sunny, with a high of 58 and low of 33 degrees. Sunny during the morning, clear in the afternoon and evening,
46° and Cloudy
