Anyone wearing a poppy today?

[VocalNeal]

Just curious?

[withnallstoke]

Does smoking opium count?


I am wearing a mental poppy, as i do each year on this day.

[Iceman123]

I am having a beer in the German Brotzeit bar in Manila - not a single poppy in sight.

[pseudolus]

No. But I did donate to British Legion. I would have worn a white poppy if they had such a thing.

[panama hat]

Nope . . . it's all become media hype . . . I can understand why the media harps on about it, but ordinary people?

It's odd that old soldiers' grandkids march in parades now . . . ridiculous

[Necron99]

Nope . . . it's all become media hype . . . I can understand why the media harps on about it, but ordinary people?

It's odd that old soldiers' grandkids march in parades now . . . ridiculous

The charity money raised is all media hype?
Don;t you claim to be an ex serviceman?

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.

John McCrae, 1915.

[Chittychangchang]

I'm not a poppy nazi.

I do remember and my kids are all wearing those new snap band poppy bracelets at school this week bought with their own pocket money.

Not long till 11am

[nidhogg]

I bought and wore a poppy on my recent trip to UK. Not wearing now though.

[Neverna]

No, and I don't usually wear one on this day, but I think I wore one many years ago.

It seems to be a bit too PC nowadays. People in public life – newsreaders and footballers, for example – seem to have no choice in the matter for fear of provoking outrage. Odd, that.

[withnallstoke]

footballers, for example – seem to have no choice in the matter for fear of provoking outrage. Odd, that.

Republic of Ireland international James McClean explains poppy stance.
Wigan Athletic’s Republic of Ireland international winger James McClean will not be wearing a poppy shirt tonight alongside the rest of his Wigan Athletic team mates, as the club takes part in football’s annual Remembrance Day commemoration.

This is a personal decision by James, who explained his position in a letter to Latics Chairman Dave Whelan before the two met face to face to discuss the issue this week.

Following the meeting, Mr Whelan accepted James’ decision and it is both their wish that the letter is published here in full, alongside this statement. There will be no further comment on this issue by the club.


Dear Mr Whelan

I wanted to write to you before talking about this face to face and explain my reasons for not wearing a poppy on my shirt for the game at Bolton.

I have complete respect for those who fought and died in both World Wars - many I know were Irish-born. I have been told that your own Grandfather Paddy Whelan, from Tipperary, was one of those.

I mourn their deaths like every other decent person and if the Poppy was a symbol only for the lost souls of World War I and II I would wear one.

I want to make that 100% clear .You must understand this.

But the Poppy is used to remember victims of other conflicts since 1945 and this is where the problem starts for me.

For people from the North of Ireland such as myself, and specifically those in Derry, scene of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, the poppy has come to mean something very different. Please understand, Mr Whelan, that when you come from Creggan like myself or the Bogside, Brandywell or the majority of places in Derry, every person still lives in the shadow of one of the darkest days in Ireland’s history – even if like me you were born nearly 20 years after the event. It is just a part of who we are, ingrained into us from birth.

Mr Whelan, for me to wear a poppy would be as much a gesture of disrespect for the innocent people who lost their lives in the Troubles – and Bloody Sunday especially - as I have in the past been accused of disrespecting the victims of WWI and WWII.

It would be seen as an act of disrespect to those people; to my people.

I am not a war monger, or anti-British, or a terrorist or any of the accusations levelled at me in the past. I am a peaceful guy, I believe everyone should live side by side, whatever their religious or political beliefs which I respect and ask for people to respect mine in return. Since last year, I am a father and I want my daughter to grow up in a peaceful world, like any parent.

I am very proud of where I come from and I just cannot do something that I believe is wrong. In life, if you’re a man you should stand up for what you believe in.

I know you may not agree with my feelings but I hope very much that you understand my reasons.

As the owner of the club I am proud to play for, I believe I owe both you and the club’s supporters this explanation.

Yours sincerely,

James McClean



Read more at Statement regarding James McClean - Letter to Chairman Dave Whelan

[can123]

I am in the UK and wearing a poppy. The family poppies are collected every year and they are placed on graves in the Kanchanaburi cemetery when we visit, usually a year later.

My father and his brothers all served in the forces in World War II, one in the Army, one in the RAF and one in the Navy. The soldier died in Egypt, my father took part in the D Day Landings and commanded a Tank Landing Craft.

Those who wear white poppies are disrespectful idiots who fail to appreciate the sacrifice made by others.

[can123]

I know you may not agree with my feelings but I hope very much that you understand my reasons.

I understand fully. He is just a thick Irishman who has been indoctrinated as a result of prejudice and who has never taken the trouble to educate himself.

[harrybarracuda]

Yes I am wearing mine, fuck the Provos and fuck the Pope.

Although I do often remember Gibraltar.

"Can you explain why you shot the suspects 27 times?".

"We ran out of bullets".

James McLean can go and fuck himself, I hope he gets relegated.

[withnallstoke]

Steady on chaps.

I was quoting an article.

The views expressed in said article are NOT my own.

[DaveS]

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

We will remember them.

[bowie]

I paid my dues thirty years ago.

Poppys; Wear 'em - yes, don't sell 'em but do distribute them and collect donations (yea, you'll find me standing outside the supermarket doors), usually collect between 5k and 7k USD per year. Spend every cent of it on disabled Vets, and hospitalized Vets, have two VA Hospitals and one State operated Veterans Home within approximately a 60 mile radius. Host picnics, BBQ's, field trips to baseball games, off-site fishing trips, bingo, movies, etc. A lot of work that pays massive dividends to your heart.

The hospitalized and disabled Vets - heartbreaking what the ravages of combat can do.

America is a free country - but that freedom did not come cheaply.

Freedom is not Free -someone had to pay.

[chassamui]

Attended the annual service on Samui this year. Hosted by ex services association.

I bought an extra poppy. The centenary miniature pin marked with the dates 1914-2014. I fully expect to wear it again in 2114.

[snakeeyes]

I know you may not agree with my feelings but I hope very much that you understand my reasons.

I understand fully. He is just a thick Irishman who has been indoctrinated as a result of prejudice and who has never taken the trouble to educate himself.

This man is from Derry City where 14 people from his community were wounded and 14 killed on Bloody Sunday and you want him to wear a Poppy , you go fook yourself , we in Derry not Londonderry don't wear poppies and never will , in the last 40 years the British army have carried out atrocities in Northern Ireland and all over this world and you want these victims and families of these victims to wear poppies , no fooking chance and the British army of today are a bunch of wankers and you're the THICK one .

[chassamui]

^The country did not go to war so that people could wear poppies. It went to war so you would be able to choose.

[can123]

This man is from Derry City where 14 people from his community were wounded and 14 killed on Bloody Sunday and you want him to wear a Poppy , you go fook yourself , we in Derry not Londonderry don't wear poppies and never will , in the last 40 years the British army have carried out atrocities in Northern Ireland and all over this world and you want these victims and families of these victims to wear poppies , no fooking chance and the British army of today are a bunch of wankers and you're the THICK one .

The British troops were cheered by huge crowds when they first entered Derry because they were seen to be preventing sectarian violence. Only with the passage of time did the opposition to direct rule bring about a change of attitude. Too many people died in "the troubles" which will always be a cause for shame for all Irish people. Many of these were soldiers killed by cowardly IRA snipers. Innocent people were massacred by indiscriminate terrorist bombings.

I am not thick. I am on the side of the British Army because I would not be here if it was not for them.

[snakeeyes]

This man is from Derry City where 14 people from his community were wounded and 14 killed on Bloody Sunday and you want him to wear a Poppy , you go fook yourself , we in Derry not Londonderry don't wear poppies and never will , in the last 40 years the British army have carried out atrocities in Northern Ireland and all over this world and you want these victims and families of these victims to wear poppies , no fooking chance and the British army of today are a bunch of wankers and you're the THICK one .

The British troops were cheered by huge crowds when they first entered Derry because they were seen to be preventing sectarian violence. Only with the passage of time did the opposition to direct rule bring about a change of attitude. Too many people died in "the troubles" which will always be a cause for shame for all Irish people. Many of these were soldiers killed by cowardly IRA snipers. Innocent people were massacred by indiscriminate terrorist bombings.

I am not thick. I am on the side of the British Army because I would not be here if it was not for them.

Double post.

[snakeeyes]

This man is from Derry City where 14 people from his community were wounded and 14 killed on Bloody Sunday and you want him to wear a Poppy , you go fook yourself , we in Derry not Londonderry don't wear poppies and never will , in the last 40 years the British army have carried out atrocities in Northern Ireland and all over this world and you want these victims and families of these victims to wear poppies , no fooking chance and the British army of today are a bunch of wankers and you're the THICK one .

The British troops were cheered by huge crowds when they first entered Derry because they were seen to be preventing sectarian violence. Only with the passage of time did the opposition to direct rule bring about a change of attitude. Too many people died in "the troubles" which will always be a cause for shame for all Irish people. Many of these were soldiers killed by cowardly IRA snipers. Innocent people were massacred by indiscriminate terrorist bombings.

I am not thick. I am on the side of the British Army because I would not be here if it was not for them.

I live in the bogside , The sectarian violence was coming from the R.U.C police and the U.D.R parttime soldiers who were all PRODS , So the IRA are cowardly snipers, catch yourself on they were killing occupying British forces , not like the scumbags British army who massacred innocent civilians on Bloody Sunday and Ballymurphy , The bottom line is your Queen had tea with Martin McGuinness and Martin is deputy prime minister of N.I ,

[Fozzy]

Snakeeyes & can123 you are both wrong IMO.

The country did not go to war so that people could wear poppies. It went to war so you would be able to choose.

Very well put.

I think James Mclean is perfectly within his rights not to wear a poppy and I think the letter he took the time and effort to write was perfectly written. I don't think he could have possibly been any fairer or more decent in his explanation and reasoning. Fair play to him.

[bowie]

^ Snakeyes; educate me, I'm American so am not up on the Irish British violence.

Set that aside, but, when, or how, did "poppies" become a symbol of the above.

The celebrations center around armistice day - the signing of the armistice 11-11-11-18, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year 1918, the ceasefire on the western front and the recognized end of World War I, the war to end all wars.

The public holidays (Remembrance Day and Veterans Day) emerged as celebration of hard-won freedom and the commemoration of those who sacrificed for that freedom. The commemorative symbol is the Poppy.

The US VFW Buddy Poppy - Among all the flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war is the red poppy, which became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, "In Flander's Field," describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen.

For more than 75 years, the VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well being of their dependents.

The VFW conducted its first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

It was during the 1923 encampment that the VFW decided that VFW Buddy Poppies be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with some form of financial assistance. The plan was formally adopted during the VFW's 1923 encampment. The next year, disabled veterans at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW Buddy Poppies. The designation "Buddy Poppy" was adopted at that time.

In February 1924, the VFW registered the name "Buddy Poppy" with the U.S. Patent Office. A certificate was issued on May 20, 1924, granting the VFW all trademark rights in the name of Buddy under the classification of artificial flowers. The VFW has made that trademark a guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name "Buddy" Poppy.

Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals.

The minimal assessment (cost of Buddy Poppies) to VFW units provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home for orphans and widows of our nation's veterans.

[snakeeyes]

^
The Footballer who is from Derry City refused to wear the poppy at the football match because the British army massacred innocent civilians on Bloody Sunday in Derry City .