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BUDDY POPPY

VFW Post 2348 - Virtual Buddy Poppy Campaign

ROCCO MORETTO

VFW Post 2348 • Astoria, NY

Dedicate a Poppy
Honor • Remembrance • Support

The VFW "Buddy"® Poppy Campaign

Every Poppy has a story. Hand-assembled by veterans for veterans. Keep the legacy alive in Astoria, Queens, and guarantee critical relief for our local heroes.

Plant a Virtual Poppy Learn Our Mission

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow / Between the crosses, row on row..."

— Col. John McCrae

A Two-Fold Mission of Honor

 

The Buddy Poppy is more than a symbol. It represents a strict constitutional promise made by the Veterans of Foreign Wars to support the living while honoring our fallen comrades.

Therapeutic Employment for Veterans

Every single VFW Buddy Poppy is hand-assembled by disabled, needy, and aging veterans in VA Hospitals and state veterans' homes. They are paid for their labor, providing both a therapeutic exercise for motor skills and a proud source of supplemental income.

100% Legally Safeguarded Relief

Under national **VFW Constitution and Bylaws (vfw.org Section 704)**, no VFW entity can make a profit from Buddy Poppy drives. Every single dollar donated by the public must be deposited strictly into the Post's **Relief Fund**, used exclusively to support veterans, military families, and orphans.

BYLAW SEC 704 COMPLIANCE

Interactive Donation Calculator

By national decree, Buddy Poppy donations are completely segregated from our operating capital. They cannot pay for the Post's utilities, repairs, or administrative costs.

Slide the control to see exactly how your donation is distributed across our authorized relief pillars according to local post needs.

Our Legal Pledge

"The net proceeds of the distribution of Buddy Poppies shall be kept in the Relief Fund of the Post and shall be used only for the purpose of helping veterans and their families in need."

$50

Fund Allocation Breakdown

1. Local Veteran Assistance & Medical Aid (40%) $20.00
 

Provides direct aid, hospital visits, food bank support, and emergency medical expense coverage for Queens veterans.

2. Assembly Wages & Rehabilitation (25%) $12.50
 

Compensates disabled and aging veterans assembling the poppies in therapeutic rehabilitation units.

3. VFW National Home for Children (20%) $10.00
 

Supports the nationwide VFW community program providing housing, education, and child support for military survivors.

4. Military Family Emergency Relief (15%) $7.50
 

Provides urgent rent relief, utility help, or direct transition assistance to active deployment families in our district.

 
 
1

SSgt Rocco Moretto

Co. C, 26th Infantry Regiment

Survivor of Omaha Beach, D-Day & Battle of the Bulge

OUR PROUD NAMESAKE

Legacy of "The Big Red One"

In 2013, our Astoria post was honored with renaming itself after one of America's true tactical survivors and Astoria's beloved neighbor, **Staff Sergeant Rocco Moretto**.

Serving under the fierce **1st Infantry Division**, Rocco witnessed the heaviest axes of European combat. He stood in the line of duty with persistent resilience, embodying the true resolve of local veterans.

DIGITAL MEMORIAL

The Virtual Poppy Memorial Wall

 

Pay tribute to a relative, companion, or historical hero. Dedicate a virtual poppy and it will instantly blossom on our responsive Memorial Wall below.

 

Place a Poppy

Live Remembrances

3 Active Blessings
 
SSgt Rocco Moretto

1st Infantry Division

"Our guiding light. A champion for the youth of Astoria and a hero of Normandy. Never forgotten."

Dedicated by: VFW Post 2348 Committee

 
PFC Arthur Carter

U.S. Navy (Korean War)

"Miss you daily, Grandpa. Thank you for your strength, your stories, and your eternal guidance."

Dedicated by: Maria Carter & Siblings

 
Col. Charles Thomas

USMC (Vietnam Veteran)

"In memory of a true officer and mentor who led with humility and grace. Semper Fi."

Dedicated by: Major R. Davis

VISIT US IN QUEENS

Astoria VFW Post 2348 Headquarters

We actively coordinate distributions, community youth sports sponsorships, and emergency veteran assistance right out of our physical base.

Our Address

31-35 41st St, Long Island City (Astoria), NY 11103

Get Directions
Official Network

Our Local Branch: vfwpost2348.org

National Headquarters: vfw.org

Request Poppies or Support

Want to distribute poppies at your Astoria shop, or need help from the Relief Fund? Send us a secure message.

ROCCO MORETTO VFW POST 2348 • ASTORIA, NY

The VFW "Buddy"® Poppy trademark is a registered symbol of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. All programs align perfectly with Section 704 rules. This digital experience serves solely as an advocacy tool for fundraising awareness.

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