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BUDDY POPPY

The VFW Buddy Poppy

 THIS PROGRAM STARTS IN MAY & RUNS UNTIL November 10th

 

"Before Memorial Day in 1922, the VFW 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 National Home For Children. Show your support today."

"Hear from those who assemble the mighty little flowers in "The Veterans Behind the Buddy Poppy" video." 

 

When you see one of our many volunteers in the community, please be a generous as possible. The needs of our returning veterans are great. 




In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae 

In Flander’s 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 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