|
Among all the
flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war is the red poppy,
which became associated with war after the publication of a poem written
by Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, "In Flander's Fields,"
describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen.
The VFW was the first veterans' organization to adopt the poppy and
develop a national distribution campaign. For more than 75 years, the
VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of
veterans' welfare and the well being of their dependents. From the very
beginning, Buddy Poppy has received the support of the Veterans
Administration and the endorsement and cooperation of all presidents
since Warren G. Harding.
Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled, needy and aging
veterans in VA Hospitals and domiciliaries across the country and are
distributed by VFW Posts and their Ladies Auxiliaries. The minimal
assessment (cost of Buddy Poppies) to VFW units provides compensation to
the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in
maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service
programs and partially supports the VFW National Home for orphans and
widows of our nation's veterans.
Source: VFW
National Website
|
|
"In Flander's
Fields" describes a battlefield of crosses dotted with red poppies.
The poem deeply touched the nation and the world, and, from that point
on, poppies became known throughout the world as a memorial flower, a
reminder of the lives lost in wartime.
"In Flander's Fields" by John McCrae
In Flander's 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 Flander's 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 Flander's fields.
Selling replicas of the original Flanders' poppy originated in some of
the allied countries immediately after the Armistice. In 1921, the
Franco-American Children's League began the first nationwide sale of
poppies to benefit children in the devastated areas of France and
Belgium.
Madam Guerin, who was recognized as the "poppy lady" from
France, sought and received the cooperation of the VFW in 1922 after the
Franco-American Children's League was dissolved. The VFW conducted its
first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922 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.
It was during the 1923 encampment that the VFW decided that VFW Buddy
Poppies be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid
for their work to provide them with some form of financial assistance.
The plan was formally adopted during the VFW's 1923 encampment. 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 the VFW all trademark rights in the name of Buddy under the
classification of artificial flowers. The VFW has made that trademark a
guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are
genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans. No other
organization, firm or individual can legally use the name
"Buddy" Poppy.
Source: VFW
National Website
|
