Editor, The Smithfield Times:

Our Smithfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post is again indebted to its fellow Isle of Wight citizens for their support during our pre-Veterans Day “Buddy Poppy” distribution. Through your selfless donations, our post’s Veterans Relief Fund will be in a better financial position to help needy and disabled veterans and/or surviving family members of deceased veterans.

Annually, for years, our post has provided $5,000- $10,000 in such relief from what you have made in donations.  The Buddy Poppy we distribute is the true symbol of all those who have raised their right hand and served our USA since 1776, willing to “give their all” if need be in our nation’s military services.

We are deeply appreciative of local stores’ management who permitted us to be present at their locations: Little’s True Value, Va ABC Store, 7-11 on Benns Church Boulevard and Tractor Supply, enabling us to give this beautiful red flower reminiscent of Flanders Field in Belgium, site of a terrible battle in World War I that will always be memorialized through Col. McCae’s poem.

Our Veterans Day commemoration ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, went very well with the participation of Smithfield High School’s JROTC Color Guard, the SHS Chorus’ Trio, “Echo Taps” trumpeters Stephen and Shafer Melillo and a well delivered, very meaningful address by retired Air Force Col. Shane Hamilton of Smithfield.

This event is an annual one, commemorating the end of WWI at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, when the guns fell silent 102 years ago, bringing this war to end all wars to a close. Regrettably it has not, being followed by others, which has necessitated the service of millions of our fellow citizens to the present day.

We deeply appreciate the support of our friends and neighbors. We veterans of Smithfield’s VFW Post are thankful for all of you, every day, all year long.

 

Herb De Groft

Smithfield