The VFW adopted the poppy as its official memorial flower in 1922, though the roots go back to Belgium during World War I, when Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae penned the poem "In Flanders Field” in honor of a lost friend and comrade.

For more than 90 years, the "Buddy”® Poppy has been assembled by disabled and needy veterans, providing compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies. For each "Buddy”® Poppy sold:

• 5 cents goes to the VFW Veterans Service Fund.
• 1 cent goes to VFW National Headquarters Veterans Service Fund.
• 1 cent goes to VFW National Home for Children.

The "Buddy”® Poppy does so much good for so many people, yet many people don’t know the history behind this small, yet mighty flower.

• They are assembled by disabled and needy veterans who are compensated for their work.
• Money raised from donations goes to support veterans’ programs across the nation, including providing financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans’ rehabilitation and service programs. 

Want to know more? Learn more about the history of the "Buddy”® Poppy here: 

The WWI Origins of the Poppy as a Remembrance Symbol  (History.com)