In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae
In Flanders 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 Flanders 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 Flanders fields.
These are the words of Col John McCrae's immortal poem dedicated to the memory of the men and women who served, fought, and died in France during World War I; the poppies of which he wrote have become the true symbol of all those who have given their lives in our nation's wars.
The poppy has become recognized as the memorial flower in countries throughout the world. It is distributed by veterans organizations in Europe, North America, and in most countries of the British Commonwealth.
Since 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has conducted an annual distribution of the "Buddy"® Poppy to raise funds for its charitable programs on behalf of the needy and disabled veterans, and the surviving family members of deceased veterans.
In February 1924, the Veterans of Foreign Wars 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.
Today, the Buddy Poppy is distributed by Posts and Auxiliaries of the VFW in every state of the union and in dozens of other countries. Some 10 million are distributed annually; most of them during the period preceding Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but many of them at other times of the year.
More than $12 million is raised each year through the distribution of the Buddy Poppy - all of it strictly accounted for and dedicated entirely to veterans welfare.
Under the unique VFW distribution system, the proceeds of the distribution are divided between national, state, and local charitable purposes.
When you drop a donation in a Buddy Poppy cannister you have contributed to the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for children of deceased or disabled veterans at Eaton Rapids, Michigan... to national and state veterans' rehabilitation and service programs... and to direct assistance programs for needy and disabled veterans and active service members and their families in your own community.
The services made possible through your donation are available to ALL needy veterans, active service members, and their families - not just those who are members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Hundreds of thousands of non-members are assisted with disability claims and served in hospitals each year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The person from whom you received your Buddy Poppy is a volunteer. Their only pay is the satisfaction which comes from devoting time and effort to a worthy cause. When you are handed a Buddy Poppy, give generously; when you wear your Buddy Poppy, do it proudly.
