I saw that custom in England when I was stationed there, but I have not seen it in the US.

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.

Very Good Vic, thank you.

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

England started the practice in 1921.
Here in Canada the Royal Canadian Legion is the largest organization dedicated to veterans in Canada.
Every year they sell poppies by donation for a couple of weeks before Remembrance day.
This sale is their largest fundraiser for veterans programs.

From what I understand the practice started as giving the poppies away by the Legion, but people wanted to donate to support the vets.
When I was young these poppies were mostly sold by veterans, but not so much anymore.
When I was a Frontiersmen (a charity organization) I often sold poppies and was on the honour guard at our local cenotaph

He wrote that after seeing a friend of his killed by artillery.
As far as we know this poem was the last thing he wrote before he was killed in battle

The Legion used to make the poppies themselves but some time in the 1990's they stopped.
They now buy them from a company in Ontario.
This year Ontario and the Federal government joined their sales taxes (GST + PST = HST), under this new tax the Legion would have had to pay 14% sales tax when they bought the poppies.
People across Canada went ballistic and within a day or two both the Federal and Provincial governments amended the law to exempt these sales from being taxed.

THE FINAL INSPECTION

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'

Author Unknown~

Thanks Yote, couldn't read the last para for a minute, got something in my eye!

The local American Legion posts or VFW sell the poppies outside stores here in Washington & they did when I was a kid in California in the 60s & 70s.They don't actually sell them,they ask for a donation of whatever you can spare.My great uncle,the man who raised my brother,sister & I,(RIP Fred) was a WWII vet & always had one hanging on the rearview mirror of his truck.I always have one on the dash of my truck sticking out of the vent.It stays there all year until the next years replaces it.

They are by donation here as well.
More then once I seen them given to kids or people that didn't have money.
I buy them when I first see them, then after that I just put whatever change I have in my pocket into the donation box when I pass one by.
I just hope my toonies and loonies help.