"Buddy" Poppy drive to begin Friday, May 26

Wahkiakum Post 5297 will start its May Memorial Day “Buddy” Poppy drive on Friday, May 26, and run it through Friday, June 2. Buddy Poppy donation containers will be placed at local businesses. On Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, they will have a manned booth at the Cathlamet Market, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., for handing out “Buddy” Poppies, taking donations, and handing out information about the VFW.

The “Buddy” Poppy officially became the National emblem of remembrance in 1920. They honor and memorialize fallen soldiers. Before Memorial Day in 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States conducted its 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 is today. During a VFW encampment in 1923, the VFW 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 the VFW organization all trademark rights in the name of Buddy under the classification of artificial flowers. The VFW made that trademark a guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name Buddy Poppy. Today, the Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA hospitals.

The VFW Buddy Poppy program provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans’ rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home for Children. Locally, Buddy Poppies raise funds for its charitable programs on behalf of veterans, their families, and the surviving family members of deceased veterans.

Honor the memories of the fallen and help veterans still suffering today. Take a Buddy Poppy and wear it proudly and take the time to donate to the VFW. Your local veterans and community need your support.