May in Henryetta is officially "Buddy Poppy Month," following a proclamation issued Tuesday.
Mayor Jennifer Clason signed the proclamation flanked by VFW post 539 commander Vernon Long and first vice-president Bob Barnett.
The annual observance is part of the national VFW Buddy Poppy observance, an annual event dating back to 1922 and is held along with the Memorial Day observance.
In 1923, VFW members decided the Buddy Poppies would be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with financial assistance. The next year, disabled veterans at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW Buddy Poppies. The designation "Buddy Poppy" was adopted at that time.
Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals.