BUDDY POPPY

What is the Buddy Poppy?

 

Before Memorial Day in 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars conducted its 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, the VFW decided that  "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. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name Buddy Poppy.

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.

 

Show your support today.

  • Stop into VFW Post 7264 at 6402 Veterans Way, Joshua Tree, CA and ask for a Buddy Poppy. 
  • Look for our Post Members handing out Buddy Poppies in your local community! 
  • Wear a Buddy Poppy on Memorial Day and Veterans Day!
  • Donate to Post 7264's Buddy Poppy Fund by mailing or dropping off a monetary donation at our Post. 
All donations should be addressed to:
 
VFW Post 7264
Buddy Poppy Fund 
6402 Veterans Way
Joshua Tree, CA, 92252
In care of (ICO) Post Commander or Quartermaster 
 
Our fundraising goal for this program each year is $1,000.00
 
Proceeds are used to fund the VFW National Home which provides home and life services for Veterans and their families. 


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

 

The Poem That Started It All


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.