POPPY

[ilikeradios]

The poppy in the header is a nice touch at this time of year ..thanks.. I will be remembering.

[ColinD]

Thanks for commenting. When you do stop to think, it's quite frightening and humbling.

[Paulbrown]

Love it!

I am currently wearing my poppy and veterans badge

[Chorlton]

I wont be wearing one.

 

The symbol of the poppy has become too politicised in my view.  It should be (and used to be) about remembering the dead, but now it's more about supporting the armed forces - which is a different thing altogether.  I'm happy to doante to the Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes but I don't want to show my support for the wars that our armed forces have been involved with recently.

 

What about a poppy in another colour like white or black to rememeber the thousands of civilian deaths in recent conflicts, which must far outnumber the amount of armed forces personnel. 

[YetiVRS]

you might not support the involvement in current conflicts (I do) but the troops don't have any say where they fight so its worth supporting them.

 

having said that I haven seen a poppy seller yet and I didn't get one last year for same reason, are there less around than there used to be?

[Paulbrown]

So you would rather not wear a red poppy but a black one to show support for everyone who's died....

That makes no sense what so ever

[Naths vRS]

Very nice addition to the site. Thank you Colin

[Baxlin]

I'll be wearing one, and my veteran's badge, although when I served in the Gulf it was peaceful.

I was proud to lead the Remembrance part of my church's service last year.

Malcolm

[camelspyyder]

I wont be wearing one.

 

The symbol of the poppy has become too politicised in my view.  It should be (and used to be) about remembering the dead, but now it's more about supporting the armed forces - which is a different thing altogether.  I'm happy to doante to the Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes but I don't want to show my support for the wars that our armed forces have been involved with recently.

 

What about a poppy in another colour like white or black to rememeber the thousands of civilian deaths in recent conflicts, which must far outnumber the amount of armed forces personnel. 

 

I wear it with pride.  It is a sign of a long-lived charity that looks after ex-Servicemen and families.  It's not about supporting the Armed Forces, or Government policy, or current conflicts.

 

It signifies that the wearer cares about ex-Servicemen and families enough to help out a little.

 

I am ever so pleased to see the symbol on the header of our community website.

 

Thank you Colin.

[mikey vrs]

Very nice touch. 

[seboni121]

@chorlton wtf? Really ! My sons have done more than one tour of afghanistan so they are not worthy of the poppy ? How dare you say the soldiers laying theyre lives on the line today are not the same as the world wars vetrans, wear your poppy with pride i say , im glad my boys came home fairly unscathed so many did not !

[Paulbrown]

I do think you will struggle to find any one who has been to war that really supports it

However it goes with the job your in the armed forces there's a chance you may have to do what your trained for whether you believe in that it's wrong or right you have to do it

As for the comment about incsent lives lost do you really think a young man from a small village near York who lost his life doing his job in some far away dusty land really wanted to die......

Ex army here and I shall and do wear my poppy with pride

Colin nice touch I love it when you see Poppy's everywhere not just for me but for all the service men and women who lost their lives

[Paulbrown]

"And When he gets to heaven,

To Saint Peter he will tell;

One more Soldier reporting, sir.

I've served my time in Hell"

Get a poppy on and be thankful others did so you didn't have to

[P6bJOHN]

I shall wear mine with pride, it's not just about remembering the dead, It shows support to those families whose loved ones did not come back, and what the Haig fund was all about, the ones who came back broken. I think of them every time I see my son in uniform. Politics have nothing to do with my support. Thank you Colin.

[FUBAR]

I shall be wearing mine with pride (may cost me my job) and on Saturday will place a new poppy cross on my grandfathers grave. 

 

Lest we forget. 

[Brimma]

I wont be wearing one.

 

The symbol of the poppy has become too politicised in my view.  It should be (and used to be) about remembering the dead, but now it's more about supporting the armed forces - which is a different thing altogether.  I'm happy to doante to the Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes but I don't want to show my support for the wars that our armed forces have been involved with recently.

 

What about a poppy in another colour like white or black to rememeber the thousands of civilian deaths in recent conflicts, which must far outnumber the amount of armed forces personnel. 

 

I think you've been hoodwinked by the PC namby-pamby brigade :(

[james0james]

Liking the remembrance poppy shown above.

 

In my humble opinion its all down to "respect"  the past,present and future servicemen & women.

 

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/

[kit]

Good effort Colin

 

I'll be wearing mine here in Dublin even though there will be some verbal abuse....Most here seem to forget how many thousands of Irish died fighting with the Allies.

 

K:)

[Aspman]

Reminds me I need to get mine.

 

I was never in the services but I was a flag escort for the Remembrance Day parade when I was in the cadets which was something.

[gadgetman]

I wont be wearing one.

The symbol of the poppy has become too politicised in my view. It should be (and used to be) about remembering the dead, but now it's more about supporting the armed forces - which is a different thing altogether. I'm happy to doante to the Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes but I don't want to show my support for the wars that our armed forces have been involved with recently.

What about a poppy in another colour like white or black to rememeber the thousands of civilian deaths in recent conflicts, which must far outnumber the amount of armed forces personnel.

The British Legion do white ones, not sure about black but probably also do them.

You'll only find them where they have a large display/stall (shopping centres etc) along with hand made broaches etc.

They also do wristbands if more your thing (they're blue) or tend to lose them easily.

[FUBAR]

The British Legion do white ones, not sure about black but probably also do them.

You'll only find them where they have a large display/stall (shopping centres etc) along with hand made broaches etc.

They also do wristbands if more your thing (they're blue) or tend to lose them easily.

 

The Royal British Legion don't do them, they in no way object to them, but do request that they are not sold side by side. This is so that people who do not know the difference, don't think it's just a pick the colour you like thing of the one symbol. They are currently made by the PPU - 'Peace Pledge Union' and originated in the early 30's from the 'Women's Co-operative Guild'. The white poppy is a symbol of peace. Some people wear it along side the RBL's red poppy as a sign of gratitude/respect for the sacrifices made along with their support for peace. There are other poppies out there too, like the purple one for 'Animal Aid' which is to remember the service animals specifically viewed as victims, it's been on the go since 2006.

 

The financial side of the remembrance poppies regardless of colour or what an individual perceives it a symbol of support for, is simply as follows:

 

RBL - Red Poppy = Funds raised go directly to support serving and ex service personnel and their families, generally meeting a shortfall in what the government fail to do in return for their service.

 

PPU - White Poppy = Funds raised for their charity with a motto/goal ultimately condemning war / conflict in all forms and its route causes (salaries / rainbow fuel and unicorn food I guess).

 

Animal Aid - Purple Poppy = Goes to their charity for awareness against animal cruelty in just about any human involvement with animals bar social, from people who kick cats to general farming of animals etc.

 

 

To touch a little further on Animal Aid.... IMO they just tried to extort what is a national / international symbol of remembrance for themselves and simply bolted on it as to raise awareness of animal cruelty of service animals marketing their sale as being 'forgotten victims', which not everyone will fully understand their full meaning and where their money is going. They sold a good few and made a few bob, but I am sure it hasn't been as successful as they would have hoped. I find their bright idea to use the symbol a bit distasteful, but maybe that's just me.

 

The white one is a more than acceptable symbol and arose at a more appropriate juncture using the already established image of the poppy to help its message and intent stand out. Being against war, the destruction of society and life is certainly not a bad thing by any means and I think to wear it along side a red poppy compliments it with the respect for sacrifices made and the individuals hope that it does/should not happen again. 

 

The red remembrance poppy is supposedly a symbol of many things to many people today, but you can choose to wear it for any of the reasons people now claim it depicts if you like. My main concern with those who have now since turned away from it with a view that it supports or represents a specific conflict / death / civilian casualties / a person, politician, organisation or body / etc / etc, is that truly is not what it was intended for or what it really represents and it's a shame that people allow themselves to be drawn away from it for such reasons. It does not support the reasons why career politicians largely with no military experience deploy the armed forces who then face death / disfigurement / disability as part of their voluntary service and for reasons some will or will not support, nor does it mean you support some moron(s) who try to associate themselves with it publicly for their own gain. It bridges a gap in where the government casts aside those people it has affected and where society by way of showing its support and financial donation seeks to do the right thing by them and show their gratitude / respect at the same time, with a specific observation and mark of respect given to those who gave/lost their lives.

 

It strikes me that some do not merely, not wish to wear a poppy or donate for their own reasons, but like to go out of their way to highlight the fact as being different and controversial is a popular attention seeking trend these days.... I am not saying that for everyone or anyone who doesn't in particular, but it does seem more so apparent to me these days sadly. It is and always has been intended as an emblem of 'remembrance and hope'. Please don't let someone or something else you object to change that fact. 

[seboni121]

The Royal British Legion don't do them, they in no way object to them, but do request that they are not sold side by side. This is so that people who do not know the difference, think it's just a pick the colour you like thing of the one symbol. They are currently made by the PPU - 'Peace Pledge Union' and originated in the early 30's from the 'Women's Co-operative Guild'. The white poppy is a symbol of peace. Some people wear it along side the RBL's red poppy as a sign of gratitude/respect for the sacrifices made along with their support for peace. There are other poppies out there too, like the purple one for 'Animal Aid' which is to remember the service animals specifically viewed as victims, it's been on the go since 2006.

The financial side of the remembrance poppies regardless of colour or what an individual perceives it a symbol of support for, is simply as follows:

RBL - Red Poppy = Funds raised go directly to support serving and ex service personnel and their families, generally meeting a shortfall in what the government fail to do in return for their service.

PPU - White Poppy = Funds raised for their charity with a motto/goal ultimately condemning war / conflict in all forms and its route causes (salaries / rainbow fuel and unicorn food I guess).

Animal Aid - Purple Poppy = Goes to their charity for awareness against animal cruelty in just about any human involvement with animals bar social, from people who kick cats to general farming of animals etc.

To touch a little further on Animal Aid.... IMO they just tried to extort what is a national / international symbol of remembrance for themselves and simply bolted on it as to raise awareness of animal cruelty of service animals marketing their sale as being 'forgotten victims', which not everyone will fully understand their full meaning and where their money is going. They sold a good few and made a few bob, but I am sure it hasn't been as successful as they would have hoped. I find their bright idea to use the symbol a bit distasteful, but maybe that's just me.

The white one is a more than acceptable symbol and arose at a more appropriate juncture using the already established image of the poppy to help its message and intent stand out. Being against war and the destruction of society and life is certainly not a bad thing by any means and I think to wear it along side a red poppy compliments it with the respect for sacrifices made and the individuals hope that it does/should not happen again.

The red remembrance poppy is supposedly a symbol of many things to many people today, but you can choose to wear it for any of the reasons people now claim it depicts if you like. My main concern with those who have now since turned away from it with a view that it supports or represents a specific conflict / death / civilian casualties / a person, politician, organisation or body / etc / etc, is that truly is not what it was intended for or what it really represents and it's a shame that people allow themselves to be drawn away from it for such reasons. It does not support the reasons why career politicians largely with no military experience deploy the armed forces who then face death / disfigurement / disability as part of their voluntary job and for reasons some will or will not support, nor does it mean you support some moron(s) who try to associate themselves with it publicly for their own gain. It bridges a gap in where the government casts aside those people it has affected and where society by way of showing its support and financial donation seeks to do the right thing by them and show their gratitude / respect at the same time, with a specific observation and mark of respect given to those who gave/lost their lives.

It strikes me that some do not merely, not wish to wear a poppy or donate for their own reasons, but like to go out of their way to highlight the fact as being different and controversial is a popular attention seeking trend these days.... I am not saying that for everyone or anyone who doesn't in particular, but it does seem more so apparent to me these days sadly. It is and always has been intended as an emblem of 'remembrance and hope', don't let someone or something else you object to change that fact.

Couldnt hsve written it better myself ! , no seriously i couldnt ;-) spot on fubs

[kit]

The Royal British Legion don't do them, they in no way object to them, but do request that they are not sold side by side. This is so that people who do not know the difference, don't think it's just a pick the colour you like thing of the one symbol. They are currently made by the PPU - 'Peace Pledge Union' and originated in the early 30's from the 'Women's Co-operative Guild'. The white poppy is a symbol of peace. Some people wear it along side the RBL's red poppy as a sign of gratitude/respect for the sacrifices made along with their support for peace. There are other poppies out there too, like the purple one for 'Animal Aid' which is to remember the service animals specifically viewed as victims, it's been on the go since 2006.

 

The financial side of the remembrance poppies regardless of colour or what an individual perceives it a symbol of support for, is simply as follows:

 

RBL - Red Poppy = Funds raised go directly to support serving and ex service personnel and their families, generally meeting a shortfall in what the government fail to do in return for their service.

 

PPU - White Poppy = Funds raised for their charity with a motto/goal ultimately condemning war / conflict in all forms and its route causes (salaries / rainbow fuel and unicorn food I guess).

 

Animal Aid - Purple Poppy = Goes to their charity for awareness against animal cruelty in just about any human involvement with animals bar social, from people who kick cats to general farming of animals etc.

 

 

To touch a little further on Animal Aid.... IMO they just tried to extort what is a national / international symbol of remembrance for themselves and simply bolted on it as to raise awareness of animal cruelty of service animals marketing their sale as being 'forgotten victims', which not everyone will fully understand their full meaning and where their money is going. They sold a good few and made a few bob, but I am sure it hasn't been as successful as they would have hoped. I find their bright idea to use the symbol a bit distasteful, but maybe that's just me.

 

The white one is a more than acceptable symbol and arose at a more appropriate juncture using the already established image of the poppy to help its message and intent stand out. Being against war, the destruction of society and life is certainly not a bad thing by any means and I think to wear it along side a red poppy compliments it with the respect for sacrifices made and the individuals hope that it does/should not happen again. 

 

The red remembrance poppy is supposedly a symbol of many things to many people today, but you can choose to wear it for any of the reasons people now claim it depicts if you like. My main concern with those who have now since turned away from it with a view that it supports or represents a specific conflict / death / civilian casualties / a person, politician, organisation or body / etc / etc, is that truly is not what it was intended for or what it really represents and it's a shame that people allow themselves to be drawn away from it for such reasons. It does not support the reasons why career politicians largely with no military experience deploy the armed forces who then face death / disfigurement / disability as part of their voluntary service and for reasons some will or will not support, nor does it mean you support some moron(s) who try to associate themselves with it publicly for their own gain. It bridges a gap in where the government casts aside those people it has affected and where society by way of showing its support and financial donation seeks to do the right thing by them and show their gratitude / respect at the same time, with a specific observation and mark of respect given to those who gave/lost their lives.

 

It strikes me that some do not merely, not wish to wear a poppy or donate for their own reasons, but like to go out of their way to highlight the fact as being different and controversial is a popular attention seeking trend these days.... I am not saying that for everyone or anyone who doesn't in particular, but it does seem more so apparent to me these days sadly. It is and always has been intended as an emblem of 'remembrance and hope'. Please don't let someone or something else you object to change that fact. 

Well said fubar I was planning on saying something similar but I'm afraid every second word would have been a naughty one!!

 

kit

[Ackadappa]

I wear mine proudly while driving the buses

[giandougl]

I buy a poppy every year in support of the servicemen and women, which is really a spin-off from the First World War One initially.

 

It's worth remembering that up until the early 1950's conscription into the services was enforced with little or no exceptions.

From that point on, the fighting services were all voluntary and not an enforcement.

 

Support for all fighters for peace keeping, law and order to me, extends past volunteer serving services personnel and into civilian volunteer personnel ie: police

Edited 23 November, 2015 by giandougl