By Blake Deshazo
The Selma Times-Journal

Veterans will be honored for their service Friday, but Saturday is a chance to give back.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3016 in Selma and Jr. ROTC cadets from Selma and Southside High Schools will host the Buddy Puppy Drive Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon.

The cadets and members of the VFW and its auxiliary will give out poppies for donations at different locations around Selma.

The Buddy Poppy is a small, red flower that symbolizes the bloodshed from World War I by millions of U.S. soldiers.

Patsy Stone, auxiliary president, said the money raised goes to the post’s relief fund.

“That fund is used to help veterans and their families,” Stone said. “We use the relief fund also if we’re doing meals for a family member that has passed away, we take meals. And if veterans come by and are in need, we do what we can to help them with food or anything that we can do to help.”

Stone said members of the VFW and its auxiliary, along with the cadets will meet at the post Saturday morning and split it up from there to give out the poppies.

They will be stationed at Save-a-Lot Grocery, Winn Dixie, Gabe’s Grocery, the

Tractor Show in Orrville, Walmart, Dave’s Market and the Selma Curb Market.

Stone said the support the community shows each year is amazing.

“It shows you how much the community wants to help out the veterans, and what the veterans stand for,” Stone said. “It’s heartwarming.”

Stone said the drive also helps teach the young cadets that help out about serving the country and the sacrifices others that came before them made.

“It teaches them the strength of the nation and about the things the veterans have done to provide their freedoms,” Stone said. “All of out freedoms are because of the veterans that fought for our country and fought for our rights. We’re teaching the young people that, and that’s important to us.”