Buddy Poppy history displayed

Displayed in the Mankato Plumbing Store is information on the VFW National Home and the Buddy Poppy History. The VFW National Home was founded in 1925 and has grown from a single frame farmhouse to a campus with playgrounds, park areas, multiple buildings, including single family homes, a community center and gymnasium, child care facility, guest lodge, chapel and administrative offices.

The VFW conducted its first Poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922. It became the first veterans organization to organize a nationwide distribution the next year, making the Buddy Poppy (as it is now called) 100 years old. These poppies are made by disabled and needy veterans in VA hospitals, providing compensation to the veterans who assemble them.

From the donations received when poppies are distributed, the disabled veterans are compensated. Then 5 cents goes to the department's veterans' service fund, 1 cent goes to the FW National Headquarters Veterans Service and 1 cent goes to the VFW National Home. The poppy is distributed without cost to the public but any donations received is greatly appreciated.