In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm

The red poppy was once a popular remembrance of the fallen soldiers following WWI.

The Balick themselves are only about three centimeters long, roughly termite-like, and, as individuals, are not terribly intelligent. However, as collectives, the hive mentality rivals that of most of the most intelligent races of the known galaxy. Generally, they exist as would expect a termite hive to look like. However, when necessary, they assemble into a vaguely humanoid form with a surprisingly solid exoskelton.

The “flower” in the picture is actually a military commendation known as the Rerwthistycen teck Shallys. This roughly translates to “Flower of Distinctive Bravery with Stamen.” The flower indicates that the collective served with honor above and beyond the call of duty during military action. The “Stamen” designates that the bearer (or hive) lost more than 75% of the collective in combat and still survived. No Balick collective has ever received more than three stamen.

The flower is meant to remind all members of the Balick of their origins. Legend has it that over three thousand Earth Years ago, the entire race had been enslaved by an intelligent plant-like race known as the Teshie. The Balick were responsible for maintaining the Teshie nurseries. The Teshie themselves were parasitic (much like holly) and once the Balick rebelled, the Teshie quickly died out, unable to adapt and evolve into the new environment.