On May, 18, 1970, Terry Connelly, 6, left, and Victor Rikal Jr., 4, presented Butler Mayor Frank C. LeFevre with Buddy Poppies. The mayor proclaimed May 23 "Buddy Poppy Day." The poppies have been made by disabled veterans for more than 80 years. The Buddy Poppy distribution began around Memorial Day in 1922. It was modeled after a poem by Col. John McCrae of Canada, who wrote of poppies growing in Flander's Field. In February 1924, the Veterans of Foreign Wars registered the Buddy Poppy name with the U.S. Patent Office, granting the VFW all rights in the name Buddy under the classification of artificial flower. Assembly of the poppies is often used as therapy for veterans with crippled fingers and hands from wounds and disease. The veterans still sell their Buddy Poppies, usually during Veteran's Day, and other special days. All of the proceeds benefit disabled or needy veterans. All proceeds from the Buddy Poppies go to the Ladies Auxiliary Relief Fund to help members, local VFWs, veterans and their departments.