Mobirise Mobirise v4.6.6



Before Memorial Day in 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars conducted our first national poppy distribution, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution of the beloved symbol of veteran sacrifice. 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 the 1923 VFW 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, the VFW 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 the Buddy Poppy under the classification of artificial flowers. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name Buddy Poppy.