Buddy ® Poppy/ National Home

BUDDY ® POPPY/ NATIONAL HOME

"Buddy” Poppy

The "Buddy” Poppy has been honored in the VFW Community for many generations. Known as the official memorial flower, the Poppy reminds us of the bloodshed and sacrifices made by American service members.

The Poppy movement was inspired by Canadian Army Col. John McCrae’s famous poem, "In Flanders Fields”. Overlooking the endless rows of graves each marked with a lonely white cross and surrounded by fields of poppies, Col. McCrae penned the poem in remembrance of the thousands who had fallen during the second battle of Ypres in Belgium.

Poppies were first distributed by the Franco-American Children’s League to benefit the children of war-torn France and Belgium after WWI ended.

The first VFW poppy distribution was in 1922 just before Memorial Day. The VFW was the first Veterans’ organization to do this nationwide. In 1924, the poppy flower became a registered trademark in the name of "Buddy” Poppy.

These subtle tiny flowers have made powerful impacts for the welfare of our Veterans and their families. A "Buddy” Poppy is not to be ‘sold’, but donations to the program are fundamental to our Veterans’ needs, providing financial assistance over the past 95 years. Rehabilitation, services, essentials, and VFW National Home are supported through these donations!

The poppies still grow, the white crosses remain, and the poem echoes each year in our hearts. Auxiliary Members will be "Together Helping Veterans” "From Our Roots to Our Branches Extending Service to Our Veterans.”

VFW National Home for Children

The VFW National Home for Children is a place where Military Veterans and their families can get a fresh start by living rent free for up to four years and have access to case management services, life skills training, tutor and other educational services as well as other recreational and community services needed to aid the healing process. It provides a safe and peaceful environment for the entire Veteran’s family.

Please join us as we CELEBRATE the 100th anniversary of the VFW National Home! The VFW National Home, located in Eaton Rapids, Michigan will turn 100 on January 7th, 2025. A millionaire cattleman, Corey Spencer, heard about a 23-year-old woman, Amy Ross, from Detroit who had made it her mission in life to help veterans returning from war to find employment, and gifted her 472 acres of land in Michigan. And on January 7, 1925, their efforts "Together Helping Veterans” began a legendary tale which is the VFW National Home.

PA BUDDY POPPY AND NATIONAL HOME PROGRAM 2024-2025

PA BUDDY POPPY AND NATIONAL HOME YEAR END REPORT FORM 2024-2025