Alice Billips was recently crowned as the Department of North Carolina VFW Buddy Poppy Princess for 2024. This is the second year she has served in this capacity. As the Buddy Poppy Princess one of her roles is to promote the buddy poppy and its meaning in the community. She is a student at Park Ridge Academy and the daughter of Kimberly Billips of Albemarle and granddaughter of Theresa and Dan Billips of Albemarle. From left are: National VFW Legislative Rep. Ryan Galluci, Department of North Carolina VFW Cmdr. Helen Nelson, Alice Billips, Dept of North Carolina VFW Auxiliary President Connie Holt and National VFW Auxiliary Conductor Kim Harney. (Contributed)