Since 1922, the Buddy Poppy has been an integral
part of the VFW community. As the VFW’s official
memorial flower, the poppy represents the blood
shed by American service members. It reiterates
that the VFW will not forget their sacrifices.
The poppy movement was inspired by Canadian
Army Col. John McCrae’s famous poem, "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 World War I.
Today, disabled veterans assemble poppies and the
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, Michigan, thanks to a
portion of poppy funds.
DONATE TO THE VFW
Our programs support our service members while they are on the front line, as they are being discharged and long after they return. Your tax-deductible donation will be immediately directed to the VFW programs where your support is most urgently needed.
