Nerd:

It's a poppy, a little early, but we celebrate 'Remembrance Day' on 11th November (or the nearest Sunday). The original 'Armistice Day'. The day the guns fell silent at the end of WW I. Politicians & newsreaders tend to wear their poppies for a longer season so as not to miss the actual day. (their minds can't cope with remembering the date so they start wearing them as soon as they become available!)

The sale of these paper & plast1c(the stem)poppies supports the Earl Haig foundation. This in turn supports disabled servicemen & the widows & orphans of those who gave their life for their country.
The Poppy is the symbol from the poem In Flanders Field

Assuming you're across the pond, I think it's the equivalent of 'Veterans day'

CHEERS

Nigel