Before Memorial Day in 1922, we conducted our first poppy distribution, 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, as it remains today.
During our 1923 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, we 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 Buddy under the classification of artificial flowers. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name Buddy Poppy.
The VFW Buddy Poppy program provides compensation to those who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home. Show your support today. Host a Buddy Poppy drive in your town, or have your local government issue a special proclamation.
Hear from those who assemble the mighty little flowers in our "Behind the Buddy Poppy" video.
The following are some of the way that the Post has given back to the community in the area:
Community volunteer hours in the past ten years: 4,660 hours.
Grants to Veterans in Platte County covering housing, utility bills, car repairs, food and other items of need: $14,557.
We have seen our young men and women from the school participate in the VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen essay competitions. These award money to the winners to go towards their further education. In the last ten years the members of the post have had 1,311 students participate and the post has awarded $4,400 in money.
Additionally, we have volunteered 1,285 hours supporting funeral details or honor guards rendering TAPS and gun salutes along with Memorial and Veteran's Day events, and 887 hours supporting Flag Retirement Ceremonies, Flag Education Programs, Color Guard and Honor Guard activities that support Pearl Harbor Day, 9/11 Remembrance Day and other military related holidays in the past ten years.
None of this would be possible with out the support of the outstanding community that we call home to Post 4055.