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. 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. Host a Buddy Poppy drive in your town, or have your local government issue a special proclamation.
Hear from those who assemble the mighty little flowers in our "Behind the Buddy Poppy" video.
