Greetings,

 The Buddy Poppy has been an integral part of the VFW community for one hundred years. As the VFW's official memorial flower, the Poppy represents the blood shed by American service members. It reiterates that we will not forget their sacrifices.

 

The VFW conducted its first Poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution.

 

In February 1924, the VFW registered the name "Buddy" Poppy with the US. 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. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name "Buddy" Poppy.

 

These small but memorial flowers have raised millions for the welfare of veterans and their dependents. The Poppy Program also provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs, and partially supports the VFW National Home.

 

Try having a table with poppies, a donation can, and information, at any event your Auxiliary is involved. The more we distribute our Buddy Poppy the more we raise awareness for our programs that assist our veterans and the VFW National Home.

 

Let us see how diverse ways we can distribute our Buddy Poppy throughout the year. In your reports let me know when, where and how you have distributed and shared our Buddy Poppies and their story.

 

If you have any questions or ideas that you would like to share connect with me.

 

Have a wonderful month.