REDDING, Calif. -- Representatives with the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) offered a donation to the Redding Veterans Home recognizing fallen soldiers leading up to Memorial Day.
Every Friday before Memorial Day is National Poppy Day.
On May 23, ALA District 2 Public Relations Chair Anne Marie Fuller brought over 120 poppies to the Redding Veterans Home, enough for every resident to wear.
Fuller said the red poppy is a symbol of remembrance honoring our fallen.
The ALA Poppy Program raises funds going toward veterans, along with their families.
"It's a great program. It's over 100 years old, and today, these poppies still represent our fallen, and they are still the flower of remembrance," Fuller said.
A Redding Veterans Home resident, Michael Van Cleemput, said. "The poppies are more than just for veterans, the poppies are for freedom. The poppy is the essence of the earth, the essence of service."
Van Cleemput added that he's overwhelmed by the generosity of the Shasta County community.
Redding Veterans Home Supervising Rehab Therapist Mark Wilkinson said, "It's just heartwarming. It's just so nice to know how supportive everyone is of our veterans and how much we appreciate it on the other end."
Fuller shared that it's important to wear a poppy to pay tribute to those who died during service, as well as anyone who has served.