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Among all the
flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war is the red poppy,
which became associated with war after the publication of a poem
written by Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, "In Flander's Field,"
describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen.
For
more than 75 years, the VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions
of dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well being of their
dependents.
The VFW conducted its first poppy distribution
before Memorial Day in 1922, 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.
It was during the 1923 encampment that the VFW
decided that VFW Buddy Poppies be assembled by disabled and needy
veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with some
form of financial assistance. The plan was formally adopted during the
VFW's 1923 encampment. 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, the VFW registered the name "Buddy Poppy" with the U.S. Patent
Office. A certificate was issued on May 20, 1924, granting the VFW all
trademark rights in the name of Buddy under the classification of
artificial flowers. The VFW has 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, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals.
The
minimal assessment (cost of Buddy Poppies) to VFW units 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 orphans and widows of our nation's veterans.
In Flander's Field
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.
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