EATON RAPIDS, Mich. — National Home resident Marie Strefling has been selected by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary as the 2008-2009 Buddy Poppy Child. Marie continues a 78-year tradition by representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the VFW National Home for Children at the VFW National Convention in Orlando, Florida on August 17-22.
The Buddy Poppy Child is selected annually from National Home residents between the ages of 6 and 12. Applicants write and perform a speech about their interests, family and why they appreciate the opportunity to live at the National Home.
Eleven-year-old Marie is a member of the National Home's Residential Program and lives with her house parents and several other children who form her campus family. She will begin sixth grade in September and continue her favorite subject of math. Marie enjoys bike riding, sports and board games, as well as working on the computer and spending time with her National Home family.
Marie's responsibilities will include traveling to the VFW National Convention and the Military Order of the Cootie National Convention in August to present her speech, meeting VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members and representing the National Home in special public relations activities throughout the year. Her year of service will end next summer.
Other National Home residents will also attend the conventions and will perform at the convention's Patriotic Rally. The National Home "Patriots Chorus" will perform before a crowd of thousands of people.
Since 1922 the Veterans of Foreign Wars has held its annual Poppy drive to raise money for needy and disabled veterans and their families. A portion of the proceeds benefit the privately funded VFW National Home for Children. Each year since 1930, children from the National Home have served as Buddy Poppy.
Since 1925 the VFW National Home for Children has been providing Help, Hope and Honor to our nation's heroes and their families. For more information please call (517) 663-1521, toll-free at (800) 424-8360 or visit www.vfwnationalhome.org.