AUBURN, Mass. – Friday marks National Poppy Day. It falls the Friday before Memorial Day each year since 1924

The day is a time to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who are still serving or have served the country. Across the country, red poppy flowers are handed out in communities. It's the flower of remembrance and official flower of the American Legion.

In Auburn, the Chester P. Tuttle American Legion post is preparing hundreds of flowers. Millie Larson, women’s auxiliary president for the post, said it’s so important to remember veterans and their sacrifices for our freedom.

“It’s important because they did wear the uniform and they did a lot overseas, fought in battles, Afghanistan, Iraq,” Larson said. “We forget that guys, and women now, have given up so much for us. We can live free because of them.”

Members of the post will be handing out poppies at gas stations across Auburn on Saturday and collecting donations to go to helping veterans in the community.