National Poppy Day Honors Fallen Service Members Across US

The poppy has become a powerful symbol of remembrance for fallen U.S. servicemen and women, with various initiatives honoring veterans across the country. The Alabama Poppy Project, founded in 2020, displays handmade stoneware poppies to provide a reflective space for remembrance, growing from 1,000 to 2,000 poppies annually. Students at Sayreville War Memorial High School contributed over 400 ceramic poppies displayed at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial. USAA’s Poppy Wall of Honor on the National Mall features 600,000 poppies, one for each U.S. service member who died since World War I, serving as a poignant reminder of their sacrifice. National Poppy Day, observed on the Friday before Memorial Day, traces its origins to the poem "In Flanders Fields" and the American Legion’s efforts, with traditions including wearing red paper poppies to honor the fallen. In Redding, California, the Veterans Home received 122 poppies and a live performance by local students to commemorate National Poppy Day, highlighting the ongoing significance of this symbol for veterans and communities.