The Underground Conservative

Bureaucrats are going after a Vietnam veteran who’s been handing out poppies on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., going so far as to label him a “panhandler” and threaten him with arrest.

A local veteran is speaking out after police threatened to arrest him for distributing ‘Buddy Poppies’ or memorial flowers at the National Mall in Washington D.C. Now the Charlottesville-based Rutherford Institute has stepped in and filed a first amendment lawsuit against the National Park Police.

Now the Charlottesville-based Rutherford Institute has stepped in and filed a first amendment lawsuit against the National Park Police.

John Miska enjoys volunteering and spends most of time helping injured veterans and distributing ‘Buddy Poppies.’

“They’re handed out as a remembrance of veterans sacrifice. The poppies are red representing the blood the soldiers shed and it’s a reminder and it gives people pause to think,” said John Miska, Veteran.

Recently the National Park Police threatened to arrest Miska for handing out his Poppies on the National Mall in Washington D.C.

“People see me standing there and they approach me and ask may I have a Poppy and I give them a Poppy. If people are moved to offer a donation we accept the donations,” said Miska.

According to president of the Rutherford Institute Miska hasn’t done anything wrong, he has only expressed his first amendment rights.

“People occasionally give him money. There’s a statute it’s a D.C. law that says you can’t aggressively solicit money, but he doesn’t do any of that. We feel it’s a violation of the first amendment of the United States Constitution which guarantees you the right to assemble or guarantees you the right to free speech to hand out Buddy Poppies,” said John Whitehead, President, Rutherford Institute.

Miska’s got Michelle Malkin on his side. Malkin posted a classic picture of Miska standing behind a 9/11 Troofer moonbat holding a “9/11 was an inside job” sign with his own sign on the Troofer, which read “Nit Wit.” Go here to see the picture.

[H]e’s busy with holiday planning and volunteering. He let me know he’s working on a Christmas party at Walter Reed for 300 wounded soldiers and their families and asked me to spread the word. Any cash donations or gifts would be most welcome. Last year, Miska and his crew handed out MP3 players to hundreds of soldiers.

We will accept Christmas cards to hand out as well over the Holidays. They must be unsealed so they may be inspected. If someone wants to send a specific gift we will hand out tickets and draw by number to hand out gifts that we receive. They must be unwrapped and in original factory packaging. If someone wants to send wrapping paper and tape along with a note or card we will include that with gift. A suggestion would be a gift card to a major store, restaurant or gas station with a Christmas card.

Donations may be sent to
VFW Post 8208
PO Box 653
Ruckersville VA 22923

Place a memo note that donation is Christmas fund.

We are a 501c19 Veterans Service Organization for tax purposes and will provide IRS donation letters upon request for tax returns.