I understand not wanting to frighten your young child but this is pathetic.
Tell your frightened child that you will protect them, not that flowers and candles will.
Trying to calm his frightened child is one thing but saying flowers are better than weapons is utter nonsense.
Also tell the child that the police and soldiers protect him.
I guess the dad was trying to make some kind of creative expression to help his son cope, but, it also seemed like resignation to a brutal, vicious enemy, known for crucifying children, among other things- so it was disturbing on some level too- IMO.