Renee Fulk
2018-2019 National "Buddy" Poppy/VFW National Home Ambassador
“Buddy”® Poppy
It is now the season for all of us to give thanks. For me, it is important that we honor veterans on Veterans Day and give thanks on Thanksgiving; I am thankful for our veterans and all they have sacrificed to protect my freedoms. I cannot think of a better way to show our support for veterans and how we give thanks for their service by remembering and honoring their service with the distribution of “Buddy”® Poppies to our communities and teaching the meaning of this important flower of remembrance.
VFW Silver, Gold And Diamond Anniversary Poppies
The silver, gold and diamond anniversary “Buddy”® Poppies are only for Posts that are currently in their 25th, 50th, 75th or 100th anniversary years. The anniversary poppies are approximately three times as expensive to produce, but because of the small quantities, the additional cost is not passed on to the Posts. Please limit your order of anniversary poppies to 1,000 to ensure stock does not run out. These are ordered through the VFW Department and processed the same as the red poppies. Annotate on the order to National that it is for anniversary poppies and specify which one. For more information, please refer to the VFW Chairman’s Guide.
A Note from the VFW
(NEW) Any use of non-VFW trademarks or copyrighted material on your display is prohibited. These include but are not limited to names, logos, audio/visual graphics, images and/or props. The “Buddy”® Poppy logo and name is authorized but use of any other trademark or copyrighted material will disqualify the entry from being displayed or judged.
Lynn W. Rolf III, VFW Programs Director
Distribution
Hopefully all Auxiliaries are preparing for their “Buddy” ® Poppy distributions for Veterans Day. A “Buddy”® Poppy is the best way to honor our veterans – wear it proudly! I am hopeful the Auxiliaries and the Posts will work their distributions together. However, it is okay for the Auxiliary to purchase and distribute “Buddy”® Poppies independent of the Post. Ask your VFW Department Office about purchasing “Buddy” ® Poppies if needed. Please share your distribution successes with your Department Chairman so she/he can share with me. Remember the program goal of educating the community about the “Buddy” ® Poppy. Share with your Department Chairman of how your Auxiliary educated the community about the “Buddy”® Poppy and its history.
VFW National Home 
Staff Recognition – Jimmy Lawson, Maintenance
Jimmy Lawson, Maintenance Worker II, has been working at the VFW National Home for more than five years. He helps maintain all the buildings and grounds, and completes work orders on campus. He also helps take care of the water treatment and wastewater plant.
Lawson served Active Duty in the U.S. Army from 2003-2006 and was stationed at Fort Irwin, Calif. during that time. He was also in the Army Reserve from 2006-2010. He was a
63 Hotel and was deployed twice to Iraq. He was part of the recovery team during both of his deployments; 2004-2005 and 2007-2008.
Lawson’s mother, Patti, volunteered at the VFW National Home when GM offered their volunteer program for workers around 2005. She helped re-open the greenhouse and took great pride in helping support the VFW.
Lawson has been married to his wife, Jenny, for six years. They have two dogs, two nieces (Tessa and Audra) and a nephew (Seith) who live with them. Lawson grew up in Eaton Rapids and has continued to reside here with his family after his service in the with them. Lawson grew up in Eaton Rapids and has continued to reside here with his family after his service in the military.
Family Stories
I have been asked about stories from the families who have lived at the National Home. Visit the National Home website for a few family stories from current or former families of the National Home.
Holiday Help
Visit the National Home website or call 866-483-9642 to learn how you and/or your Auxiliary can help families residing there have a wonderful holiday season.
Don’t Forget! National Home Life Member fees increase to $50.00 in January 2019. Applications can be found on the website www.vfwnationalhome.org
