The Royal Canadian Legion’s annual poppy campaign starts Friday and some say the red flower of remembrance will take on renewed significance this year, following the deaths of two soldiers last week.

The first official poppy was presented to New Brunswick’s new lieutenant-governor Wednesday. Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau said it holds special meaning for her because her father-in-law was a veteran of the Second World War.

“Yes, it is very important to me. It has always been,” she said.

The event was held Wednesday in Fredericton to launch the legion’s poppy campaign, which will run through Remembrance Day.

“Legion members remember every day of the year,” said Harold Harper, command of the New Brunswick Royal Canadian Legion. “We just bring more emphasis in it for two weeks preceding November 11 and bring it in the forefront to all Canadians.”

There was a push for the legion to begin its campaign early after two soldiers were killed last week in separate attacks in Quebec and Ottawa.

Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was standing ceremonial guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa last Wednesday when a gunman shot him in the back before rushing into the Centre Block on Parliament Hill, where security staff felled him in a hail of bullets.

Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent was run down and killed in an attack south of Montreal last Monday.

The legion was unable to start its poppy campaign early, but some believe the tragedies will spark renewed interest in the poppy and Remembrance Day services.

“I already notice that people are wearing the poppies now, sooner than they usually do,” said Fredericton resident Wayne Young.

“I think that you’re going to see more people wearing it,” said Guy Violette. “Canada’s pretty patriotic to begin with and maybe you’ll see an increase in it, so yeah, maybe you might see an increase in it.”

Even legion officials acknowledge recent events could drive a greater interest in poppies this year.

“It has made Canadians more aware of what is going on in the country and how serious it is for Canada, for this terrorism,” said Harper.

“We will always remember what happened the last few weeks,” said Roy-Vienneau. “Yes, it is very important and we think of those families that are affected by that.”

Poppies will be available to the public beginning Friday.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Andy Campbell and The Canadian Press