A Proclamation declaring the month of May as National Campaign of Buddy Poppies by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 539 was signed by Henryetta Mayor Jennifer Munholland and City Clerk Donna White on Friday.

The signing is in conjunction with the observance of Memorial Day.

Representing Henryetta VFW Post 539 were Post Commander Bill Goodner.

The Proclamation reads, “The Buddy Poppy was designed to honor all the soldiers in all the wars, and is the National Flower of the National Memorial Day. This is a Mayor’s Proclamation to inform all the citizens of the honorable cause for the Buddy Poppy program.

“Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled, needy, and aging veterans in VA Hospital, State veterans homes and domiciliary across the country. The majority of the proceeds derived form each campaign by VFW Posts and their ladies Auxiliaries is retained locally to provide for veteran services and welfare. The minimal assessment (cost of Buddy Poppies) to VFW units provides compensation to the veterans who assembled the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaing state and national veterans’ rehabilitation and service programs, and partially supports the VFW National Home for orphans and widows of our nation’s veterans.

“Buddy Poppy proceeds represent no profit to any VFW unit. All the money contributed by the public for Buddy Poppies is used in the cause of veterans’ welfare, or for the well being of their needy dependents and the orphans of veterans.

“I, Jennifer Munholland, Mayor of Henryetta, Oklahoma, declare this day the month of May as a National Campaign of Buddy Poppies. They represent the honorable men and women that gave their lives for their country. I highly recommend to donate generously for the cause by honoring the dead by helping the living.”