Since 1922, the Buddy Poppy has been an integral part of the VFW community. As VFW’s official memorial flower, the Poppy represents the ultimate sacrifice by American service members.
The Poppy movement was inspired by a poem titled "In Flanders Fields," written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian Army physician.
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.
Poppies were originally distributed by the Franco-American Children’s League to benefit children in the devastated areas of France and Belgium following WWI.
Today, disabled veterans assemble Poppies and VFW pays them for their work. In most cases, this extra money provides additional income for the worker to pay for the little luxuries that make hospital life more tolerable.
Another reason Poppies are so important is because all proceeds from distribution are used for veterans welfare or for the well being of their needy dependents and the orphans of veterans. More than 1,300 children of veterans have been, or are being cared for in the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Mich., thanks to a portion of Poppy funds.
