On Friday and through the Memorial Day weekend, you may see people handing out and wearing red flowers. Here's why.

The red poppy, or Remembrance Poppy, has been a symbol of lives lost to war since World War I (1914–1918). Also known as Memorial Day poppies, these artificial flowers actually play a big part in the history of Memorial Day.

Representatives with the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) offered enough red crepe paper poppies for every Redding Veterans Home resident to wear.

The American Legion Auxiliary’s annual May Poppy Campaign is underway at posts across the country, with National Poppy Day to be observed this year on Friday, May 23.

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The Poppy Wall is back on the National Mall in Washington to honor more than 600,000 American service members who have died in combat since World War I. Hosted by the financial services company USAA, the wall has more than 600,000 poppies, one for each fallen service member.

Members of the American Legion Post Unit 260 were set up at both United Supermarket and at Amigos on Friday giving away poppies for their first of two events to mark the Memorial Day holiday. The poppy giveaway is a tradition for the nonprofit.

National Poppy Day takes place every year on the Friday before Memorial Day. The poppy, a red wildflower, originated in Flanders, Belgium during WWI, where they grew in abundance.

The Friday before Memorial Day is also known as National Poppy Day in the United States. In our region, just ahead of Glassfest, members of the Corning American Legion Auxiliary gathered in Centerway

Memorial Day, observed on Monday, May 26 this year, is a federal holiday in the United States that is dedicated to honoring and remembering the men and women