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.

2025-2026 Buddy Poppy Program revised 9.27.25 (click here)

Announcing the 2026 VFW Buddy Poppy Display Contest

Posts and Auxiliaries are invited to submit their entries to the 2026 Department Buddy Poppy Display Contest at the 2026 State Convention. The winner in each of the three National Display Contest categories will be submitted to National for the National Convention Display Contest. The Auxiliary entries that competed at the Mid-Winter Conference in the Auxiliary Buddy Poppy Display Contest are eligible to enter the VFW Convention Display Contest, but their display must be submitted for judging in one of three categories (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 State Convention. Please complete the contest entry form and bring it with your display to State Convention.

Buddy Poppy Display Contest Entry Form (click here)

Buddy Poppy Order Forms

2025-2026 Traditional Buddy Poppy Order Form

2025-2026 Tin Tab Buddy Poppy Order Form

Other Helpful Information

2025-2026 Buddy Poppy Award Form

2025 Buddy Poppy Chairperson Guide

Buddy Poppy Brochure

Marilyn Munro, Director

5153 Boylan St

Kalamazoo, MI 49004

269-568-6980