For Vietnam veteran Bernice Campbell, craft days at Fort Meade Veterans Hospital mean making poppies.

"I like to do it," Campbell said. "It calms me down and I relax."

Campbell has been making poppies for about two years, ever since he came to the hospital. "I'll continue to make more as long as I'm here," he said.

South Dakota is one of only two states that makes its own paper poppies, said Bob Kirland, VFW commander of District 10.

These poppies, more commonly called the "buddy poppy" will in turn be sold to help needy or disabled veterans and their families through the donations. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion share the month of May to gather the donations.

The poppy is known as the symbol of sacrifice, but some believe the meaning has been forgotten.

"Some people don't realize the importance. It is special. Some young people think it's a pretty flower," said Irene Sears, a member of the American Legion. She said they had bought 2,000 poppies to raise money for veterans. Some of the money raised in the donations has gone to providing Christmas presents to needy veterans.

Even though Jenny Purvis of Rapid City had never heard of the buddy poppy, she "feels it's important" to recognize the sacrifice made by the veterans.

"More people should be aware. They take it for granted and they don't realize what they've done for us," she said.

Purvis' plans for Memorial Day are to visit her grandfather's grave; he was killed on active duty in Vietnam, she said.

The buddy poppy's beginnings date back to World War I when Lt. Col. John McCrae of First Brigade of the Canadian Forces Artillery described a scene in Belgium after the death of a friend in May 1915. McCrae wrote "In Flanders Field, describing a field where poppies blow in the wind amid the crosses that mark the graves of the fallen. His words have left a legacy and give reproof to those who forget those who gave their lives, Sears said.

Buddy poppies will continue to be available today at various locations around Rapid City including Kmart, ShopKo, Sam's Club and Family Thrift Centers.

Contact Sarah Beu at 394-8424 or sarah.beu@rapidcityjournal.com.