The Veterans of
Foreign Wars (VFW) was the first veteran organization to promote a nationally organized campaign for the annual distribution of poppies assembled by disabled and needy veterans and has been distributing the red "Buddy Poppy" since
1922 to raise money for its charitable programs. The poppy represents the blood shed by American service
members and the VFW's commitment to remember their sacrifices. The poppy movement was inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields” written by Colonel John McCrae of the Canadian forces before the United States entered World War I, which can be found below. Before Memorial Day
in 1922, we conducted our first poppy distribution, becoming the first
veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon
was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States, as it remains today. During our
1923 encampment, we decided that VFW "Buddy"® Poppies would
be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to
provide them with financial assistance. The next year, disabled veterans at the
Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW Buddy Poppies. The designation
"Buddy Poppy" was adopted at that time. The VFW Buddy
Poppy program provides compensation to those who assemble the poppies, provides
financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation
and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home. Today, VFW posts and auxiliaries distribute around 14 million Buddy
Poppies annually in every state and in many other countries. Most are
distributed before Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but many are given out at
other times of the year. Proceeds from the Buddy Poppies go to members of
the Armed Forces, veterans' welfare, and the well-being of needy dependents,
widows, and orphans of veterans. Show your support today. Hear from those who assemble the mighty little
flowers in our "Behind the Buddy Poppy" video.
In February
1924, we registered the name Buddy Poppy with the U.S. Patent Office. A
certificate was issued on May 20, 1924, granting our organization all trademark
rights in the name of Buddy under the classification of artificial flowers. No
other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name Buddy Poppy.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you, from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders fields.