U.S.
Flowers for the fallen: Poppy Wall honors service members with 600,000 poppies
Stars and Stripes
May 24, 2026
Since 2018, more than 60,000 people from around the world have visited the Poppy Wall of Honor to pause and reflect on the significance of this holiday, remembering those who gave their lives for our freedoms. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
WASHINGTON — If April showers bring May flowers, what does Memorial Day weekend rain deliver? Try over 600,000 bright red poppies.
For the seventh year, USAA’s Poppy Wall of Honor was erected just north of its usual spot on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The temporary exhibit features more than 600,000 poppies, each one representing a military member lost in service since World War I.
“The Poppy Wall of Honor stands as a powerful reminder that behind every poppy is a service member who gave their life in service to our country – and a family forever changed by that sacrifice,” said Juan C. Andrade, President & CEO of USAA. “Memorial Day is a time to pause, reflect and honor those who never came home. We share a responsibility to remember their service and the freedoms they helped protect.”
A recent USAA survey found that less than half of U.S. adults understand the significance of Memorial Day. The Poppy Wall serves as not only a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but also as an education tool for visitors on the purpose of the true meaning of Memorial Day.
“It can be a day of celebration if that’s what folks want to do, but more importantly, it’s a day of remembrance,” Navy veteran Joel Vargas said. “Take a pause at 3 p.m. that day and just sit there and honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. There’s folks today that don’t have that seat filled at the table, and they’re going to feel that every day.”
USAA also sponsored an Honor Flight from Denver, Co., to Washington, D.C., in which over 50 veterans from the Vietnam and Korean Wars experienced the Poppy Wall and the monuments at the National Mall. For many, it was their first time visiting the monuments constructed in their honor.
Visitors in Washington, D.C., can experience the Poppy Wall of Honor through 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 24.
Kevin and Katie Bubolz view the Poppy Wall of Honor along with their two dogs, Ellie and Emma. Kevin is a retired Army helicopter pilot. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
Personal stories line one side of the wall, driving home the significance of each loss. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
The Poppy Wall of Honor features red poppies on one side, and information about U.S. combat casualties on the other. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
USAA’s Poppy Wall of Honor returned to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for the seventh year. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
Many people faced the rain and cold weather to pay their respects to the country’s fallen over Memorial Day weekend. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
Kevin Bubolz, a retired Army helicopter pilot, introduces trained therapy dogs Ellie and Emma to memorial viewers. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
Golden retreivers Ellie and Emma, both trained therapy dogs, paid their respects at the Poppy Wall of Honor over Memorial Day weekend. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
USAA’s Poppy Wall of Honor is a temporary exhibit that features more than 600,000 poppies, each representing the military members lost in service to our country since World War I. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
The USAA Poppy Wall of Honor features over 600,000 red poppies, one for every services member lost in the line of duty since WWI. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
In a time where less than half of US adults understand the significance of the holiday, the Poppy Wall serves as a visual tribute that honors those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, while educating visitors on the purpose of Memorial Day. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
Despite a wet weekend, people in the nation’s capital weathered the storm and paid tribute to the fallen. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
Plaques along the Poppy Wall of Honor depict quotes from fallen service members. Overhead, audio from friends and families can be heard. (Gianna Gronowski)
Visitors in Washington, D.C., can experience the Poppy Wall of Honor through 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
A group of Navy SEAL veterans huddle at the World War II Memorial over Memorial Day weekend on May 23, 2026. Many veterans traveled to Washington, D.C., for the day of remembrance. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
Dozens of veterans were brought on an Honor Flight to the nation’s capital ahead of Memorial Day. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
Veterans on an honor flight pose for a photo amongst the monuments at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on May 23, 2026. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
Flags will be lowered to half-mast on Monday, May 25, 2026, as Memorial Day is observed around the nation. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
Despite the gloomy and wet weather, families walked the National Mall over Memorial Day weekend, taking time to pay respect to the country’s fallen heroes. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
Inclement weather over Memorial Day weekend resulted in wreaths continously being knocked down, but time and time again, passerby righted the wreaths out of respect for the fallen. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
Wreaths were laid at the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., ahead of Memorial Day. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)
