The Veterans of Foreign Wars celebrates its 118th birthday September 29, also known as National VFW Day. The organization—the oldest veterans group in the U.S.—fights for the rights of veterans, military members and their families.
In the early days of the VFW, it raised a lot of support through the sale of its Buddy Poppies—red paper memorial flowers that represent the blood shed by American soldiers. To help sell those flowers, the VFW enlisted the help of an impressive cast of Hollywood starlets—the Buddy Poppy Girls. In honor of National VFW Day, let’s look at a three.
Jayne Wyman. Born in 1917, Wyman’s acting career began at the age of 16 when she was signed with Warner Bros. Studio. She played parts and starred in more than 100 films and TV shows in her career and even won an Academy Award in 1948 for her part in “Johnny Belinda.” She was also known for being the first wife of fellow actor and later president Ronald Reagan. Wyman was a Buddy Poppy Girl in 1942.
Doris Day. Born in 1924, Day helped market the Buddy Poppy in 1950. She was a popular big band singer in the 1940s and was also known for touring with Bob Hope and the USO. She made her first movie, “Romance on the High Seas,” in 1948 and then went on to star in dozens of other movies. From 1947 to 1967, she also recorded more than 650 songs. She’s considered one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th Century.
Natalie Wood. Born in 1938, Wood began acting in movies at the age of 4. At 16, she starred in “Rebel Without a Cause” with James Dean. She acted in 48 movies throughout her career and received several Academy Award nominations for her role in the 1961 film “Splendor in the Grass.” Wood was a Buddy Poppy Girl in 1957.
The VFW no longer uses Buddy Poppy Girls, but the organization continues to push hard for America’s bravest. Throughout its history, the group has been key in helping establish such programs as the GI Bill of Rights, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the national cemetery system for veterans.
Veteran Energy is proud to have the Texas VFW as one of its trusted Affinity Partners. Happy National VFW Day.
