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.
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. We've made that trademark a
guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are
genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans. No other
organization, firm or individual can legally use the name Buddy Poppy.
Today, our Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals.
The VFW Buddy Poppy program provides compensation to the veterans who
assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state
and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs and
partially supports the
VFW Home for Children
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae
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.
