Discussion
StuntmanMike said:
I don't wear a poppy, I'm not 100% sure why, I just avoid the whole issue to be honest, therefore this will be my one post on here.
For the record I served, I have medals, I have had years of issues owing to PTSD.
There was a time where I didn't think I was going to make it, that's all behind me now.
I have sat here some time now, I still can't give a reason why I don't buy/wear one, the strength of feeling on this thread about it though is good, in my opinion .
The RBL is there to help people like you.Have you been in touch with them? if not please do so,they have marvelous people and excellent facilities,all funded from the Poppy Appeal. For the record I served, I have medals, I have had years of issues owing to PTSD.
There was a time where I didn't think I was going to make it, that's all behind me now.
I have sat here some time now, I still can't give a reason why I don't buy/wear one, the strength of feeling on this thread about it though is good, in my opinion .
StuntmanMike said:
I don't wear a poppy, I'm not 100% sure why, I just avoid the whole issue to be honest, therefore this will be my one post on here.
For the record I served, I have medals, I have had years of issues owing to PTSD.
There was a time where I didn't think I was going to make it, that's all behind me now.
I have sat here some time now, I still can't give a reason why I don't buy/wear one, the strength of feeling on this thread about it though is good, in my opinion .
Stay strong buddy, plenty of us out there that know you've done your part. RBL, Combat Stress and a few others can help, or send me a PM if you need. For the record I served, I have medals, I have had years of issues owing to PTSD.
There was a time where I didn't think I was going to make it, that's all behind me now.
I have sat here some time now, I still can't give a reason why I don't buy/wear one, the strength of feeling on this thread about it though is good, in my opinion .
talkssense said:
Jasandjules said:
Yes. It means you show some respect for the many people who gave their lives for the freedom you enjoy today.
Sorry, but that is b
ks.For as long as I have had a say in it I have made sure I am not anywhere public at 11 when the silence is due, I simply can't stand a load of people making a big show of being silent
I buy one, I wear it. If I lose it, I buy another one. However, I pay my respects at other times of the year as well and don't need a poppy to remind me.
I've met many of the remaining veterans of WW2 who are incredibly humble, they lost their friends, family and colleagues so we could make the choices we are lucky enough to make today. So why wouldn't I show an ounce of common decency to show my respect.
I've met many of the remaining veterans of WW2 who are incredibly humble, they lost their friends, family and colleagues so we could make the choices we are lucky enough to make today. So why wouldn't I show an ounce of common decency to show my respect.
I don't wear poppies, however I always make sure I put money in the pots whenever I can. The majority of my coats aren't suitably for putting a pin in and working in an aviation environment a paper popy and a pin aren't good when getting into aircraft/walking around an airfield.
I would however wear a proper pin badge but the decent sized ones are for the ladies.
I would however wear a proper pin badge but the decent sized ones are for the ladies.
bingybongy said:
A shop local to me (hippies) sells white poppies. fk knows what they are for and i have never seen anyone wearing one.
I'll look it up when I can be bothered.
I drop my shrapnel into the poppy box every round at the pub / shopping visit. I don't wear a poppy though.
I believe that it's worn as a symbol of peace or something similar. There are also purple poppies to remember the animals that have died in conflict.k knows what they are for and i have never seen anyone wearing one.I'll look it up when I can be bothered.
I drop my shrapnel into the poppy box every round at the pub / shopping visit. I don't wear a poppy though.
I think the white ones are for people who think the red ones glorify war. I don't think the red ones do glorify war personally. But each to their own and all that.
I wear a poppy during November up to the 11th. I tend to lose and ruins a few so end up getting several, I don't mind repeatedly paying a bit as I think it is a good cause.
I am of the opinion that wearing a poppy and observing a silence are personal choices and wouldn't pressure any one either way on the issue. I would only ask each side respect the others observance of what it is they want to do.
IMHO, when the things that were supposedly fought for are taken into account - forcing someone to mark (or not mark as the case may be) the issue renders it largely pointless.
I wear a poppy during November up to the 11th. I tend to lose and ruins a few so end up getting several, I don't mind repeatedly paying a bit as I think it is a good cause.
I am of the opinion that wearing a poppy and observing a silence are personal choices and wouldn't pressure any one either way on the issue. I would only ask each side respect the others observance of what it is they want to do.
IMHO, when the things that were supposedly fought for are taken into account - forcing someone to mark (or not mark as the case may be) the issue renders it largely pointless.
I buy poppies. I'm keen for my kids to understand the significance and take part but try to give a balanced view and encourage them to question and think for themselves. Conformity and sharing is important for kids.
I wear one for work to placate the wkers who see the absence of a poppy in the same light as wearing the wrong trousers at a golf club function.
Behind this facade though, I'm firmly of the opinion that no one tells me when to "remember". -My great grandfather, the gassed Lewis gunner in WW1. My grandfathers the Royal Engineer and the RAMC Ambulance Driver in WW2. All dead now. As a lad I sat down and listened to the stories for hours and hours, north Africa, D-Day, Arnhem. They told me straight and I never ran off and played army after those stories. The hunger to understand and somehow feel some of what they felt has stayed with me. History continually fascinates me, I'm currently reading about Fromelles. At the weekend I sat down for a couple of hours with mate who's recently trawled a load of records and documents relating to his grandfather who was a POW of the Japanese after capture in China. It's a huge privilege to have that kind of stuff shared with you. Fascinating and hugely moving at the same time.
The thing is, remembrance is personal and internal. Being told to "remember" as if we're achieving some kind of fleeting national consciousness has no place in my outlook. I remember, I respect, because I have no choice. But no one gets to tell me when.
I wear one for work to placate the w
kers who see the absence of a poppy in the same light as wearing the wrong trousers at a golf club function.Behind this facade though, I'm firmly of the opinion that no one tells me when to "remember". -My great grandfather, the gassed Lewis gunner in WW1. My grandfathers the Royal Engineer and the RAMC Ambulance Driver in WW2. All dead now. As a lad I sat down and listened to the stories for hours and hours, north Africa, D-Day, Arnhem. They told me straight and I never ran off and played army after those stories. The hunger to understand and somehow feel some of what they felt has stayed with me. History continually fascinates me, I'm currently reading about Fromelles. At the weekend I sat down for a couple of hours with mate who's recently trawled a load of records and documents relating to his grandfather who was a POW of the Japanese after capture in China. It's a huge privilege to have that kind of stuff shared with you. Fascinating and hugely moving at the same time.
The thing is, remembrance is personal and internal. Being told to "remember" as if we're achieving some kind of fleeting national consciousness has no place in my outlook. I remember, I respect, because I have no choice. But no one gets to tell me when.
I'll wear a poppy when the clothes are right for it, so always with a suit at work but not with the t shirt out of work. I couldn't care less what other people do in terms of wearing/not wearing.
But few things wind me up more than people who quite obviously disrespect the silence by trying to go about their lives as if nothing is going on. I have no religion but I'd take my shoes off if I went into a mosque. I modify my language around kids. I'm careful about the jokes I tell around people I don't know. I'm white and if a large group of people were commemorating MLK I'd bow my head along with them despite having no particular affinity with or sympathy for, black rights.
As far as I'm concerned, anyone who wilfully disrespects something that is obviously hugely important to the host or the visible majority is no more than an ignoramus.
The only area in which I do have a problem with people commemorating is that a very small minority will go out of their way to inconvenience people beyond the duration of a silence, for example by not clearing the road they have been blocking in silence. I presume this is to make some sort of point and I find it inexcusable.
But few things wind me up more than people who quite obviously disrespect the silence by trying to go about their lives as if nothing is going on. I have no religion but I'd take my shoes off if I went into a mosque. I modify my language around kids. I'm careful about the jokes I tell around people I don't know. I'm white and if a large group of people were commemorating MLK I'd bow my head along with them despite having no particular affinity with or sympathy for, black rights.
As far as I'm concerned, anyone who wilfully disrespects something that is obviously hugely important to the host or the visible majority is no more than an ignoramus.
The only area in which I do have a problem with people commemorating is that a very small minority will go out of their way to inconvenience people beyond the duration of a silence, for example by not clearing the road they have been blocking in silence. I presume this is to make some sort of point and I find it inexcusable.
I used to wear one all the time from the time they started selling them until the 12th (RS depending)
a few years ago I started to wear a pin badge as was fed up of crumpled poppies.
This year I am going with the black wrist band with red poppies and www. poppy. org .uk on it.
I might get a paper one for RS.
a few years ago I started to wear a pin badge as was fed up of crumpled poppies.
This year I am going with the black wrist band with red poppies and www. poppy. org .uk on it.
I might get a paper one for RS.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I wear one. As does my wife. Remembering what others gave for us so long ago doesn't take much really; its just a sign of respect for what they did.
I do buy them and wear them, however not until November actually starts. I don't like the way life is continually being pulled forward by commercial pressures.
Anyway, Various Family members fought and died in WW1, and in other Wars. Plus I think the Government by and large does a terrible job of looking after ex forces, so I am very happy to donate to the living.
I have no issue with people that don't want to wear them. Though I think the day I wore my poppy (with pride) to our offices in Switzerland may have been a mistake. Had to explain it to several German Colleagues...slightly awks.
Have a little read of this. One of my relatives who survived. What the story doesn't tell is that he survived the sinking of HMS Wakeful at Dunkirk (700 dead) and the ship he was picked up by following HMS Leda's sinking in the Arctic was also sunk! To survive three was going some. So he lived, and when that minute of silence starts, everyone should stand and have a little think about all the people who didn't. Or go and skulk in a hole somewhere with all the other disrespectful scum.
http://www.crawleynews.co.uk/Recognition-war-hero-...
http://www.crawleynews.co.uk/Recognition-war-hero-...
I sometimes drop £1 in the box but haven't worn a poppy for years, I'm not sure I really understand what it's all about, seems that the British Legion is not the only charity that supports ex servicemen, several other have sprung up in competition which would suggest they weren't doing a great job, I'm not sure what ex service men really need is cheap subsidised beer and badly looked after snooker tables.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff