Since 1922, the "Buddy”® Poppy has been an integral part of the VFW (and the American Legion) community. As VFW’s official memorial flower, the Poppy represents the blood shed by American service members. It reiterates the VFW will not forget their sacrifices.

These funds collected go into our Veteran Relief Fund.  Those funds are used only within Sabine County for Veterans in need.  Something simple as paying an overdue bill or paying for needed medicines to running a water line from their meter to their homes. This is what the power of the poppy does for Veterans in Sabine County.

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 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.