LEWISTON – Edward S. Banas Sr. of Voluntown, Conn., commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, announces the appointment of Arthur J. Roy of Lewiston as chairman of the National Buddy Poppy Committee for 2003-2004.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars has been distributing Buddy Poppies since 1922. The proceeds are used to assist disabled and needy veterans and widows and children of deceased veterans.

Nearly 500,000 men, women and children donate time and effort annually to distribute the VFW Buddy Poppies.

More than 1,300 children of veterans have been or are being cared for in the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Mich. A portion of the cost is raised through the Buddy Poppies.

Roy is serving as adjutant of VFW Post 1603 in Auburn and District 9 quartermaster and was elected state chairman of the Veterans Memorial Cemetery Association for 2003-2005.

Roy is also a five-time past commander of Post 1603 in Auburn, past District 9 commander, past All American state commander and past national council member. Roy resides on Russell Street.