Submitted Report
Since 1922, the “Buddy” Poppy has been an integral part of the VFW community. As VFW’s official memorial flower, the Poppy represents the bloodshed by American service members. It reiterates that VFW will not forget their sacrifices.
The Poppy movement was inspired by Canadian Army Col. John McCrae’s famous poem, “In Flanders Fields.” Poppies were originally distributed by the Franco-American Children’s League to benefit children in the devastated areas of France and Belgium following WWI.
In 1922, VFW conducted a campaign and got Poppies from France. Members soon discovered it took too long to get the flowers in from France and they came up with a better idea. Disabled, hospitalized and aging veterans could make the paper flowers and ship them out to the members for distribution.
The Kyle/Buda VFW members used 2,738 of these buddy poppies, which they hot glued, painted, twisted and maneuvered into their display. They had a ‘Poppy Party’ at the post where many of the members worked together on the project. It took us approximately two months at 372 hours of work. The display has been at the Kyle City Hall for the past two weeks for all to see and it’s next stop will be at the new Precinct #2 office (Judge Smith’s). The VFW is also hoping to have it displayed at the Buda City Hall once removed from the courthouse. After the tour, it will be proudly displayed at Kyle VFW post for all to see.