BUDDY POPPY

A little history of the VFW Buddy Poppy Program:

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.

 
 
 

The goal of the Buddy Poppy program is to educate the public on the history and meaning of the Buddy Poppy as an example of the sacrifices made by veterans through the distribution of Buddy Poppies and their appropriate display.


The distribution of Buddy Poppies by VFW Posts and their dedicated Post and Auxiliary members during events around Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Veterans Day among other events provides support to the VFW National Home and provides funds for Post relief assistance to veterans in need and other worthy causes as authorized by VFW National ByLaws. 


2026-2027 Buddy Poppy Program (click here)

 

Announcing the 2027 VFW Buddy Poppy Display Contest

Posts and Auxiliaries are invited to submit their entries to the 2027 Department Buddy Poppy Display Contest at the 2027 Mid-Winter Conference.   The winner in each of the three National Display Contest categories will be submitted to National for the National Convention Display Contest.  (see the National criteria on the Department VFW Buddy Poppy Program page in the Chairperson Guide found on this page).  Bring your display entries to 2027 Mid-Winter Conference for Contest judging.  Please complete the contest entry form and bring it with your display to Mid-Winter Conference.

 

Buddy Poppy Display Contest Entry Form (click here)

 

Buddy Poppy Order Forms 

2026-2027 Traditional Buddy Poppy Order Form

2026-2027 Tin Tab Buddy Poppy Order Form 

 

Other Helpful Information 

Buddy Poppy Chairperson Guide

Buddy Poppy Brochure

 

 

Marilyn Munro, Director

5153 Boylan St

Kalamazoo,  MI  49004

269-568-6980

mllambertt@icloud.com