Poppies

I used to be a poppy seller and have certificates and badges to say so and am proud to have done this for our war disabled and their dependents!

I, in my previous job, had to arrange and undertake the assessment of war disabled veterans.

I,was always humbled and impressed by them! Particularly what were known as 'FEPOWS'
Far eastern prisoners of war

We owe so much to these people!

We all agree war is wrong!

We MUST ACKNOWLEDGE the gift of their lives !

Slightly pedantic, but poppies are not sold; a donation of any amount is accepted for a poppy.

johanna - nothing to conceal there. I buy a couple of poppies each year because I am sure to lose one! At the moment I think they are both in the car. It's just something I have always done as did my parents.

Does anyone know if that issue is being addressed, by the British Legion, for instance, or other bodies?

" should have to " even.

Having read this whole thread I hardly dare admit that I am actually an official poppy seller, and have been for many years.

The fact that ex service personnel should not have to depend on charity is something which needs to be adressed, it is a disgrace.

I wear a poppy to remember and honour my great uncle who never returned from Flander's fields. I always have and I always will.

I didn't mean that to be as disparaging as it sounded Bags.

Sorry.

CEES. True,True . [h.smile]

Ceesnan children do seem to care. Heartening.

That's just your point. I didn't miss it.

Don't have a problem with kids making poppies to wear. And if they want to buy one with their parents, or if the parents want to buy them one, that's fine. No pressure in schools.

I think you've missed the point, jings. It's not about whether primary school children understand what the poppies are for. It's about them feeling pressurised to buy a poppy and having to ask for the money for one, and feeling social stigma if they don't have one. We should protect children from that kind of thing.

My 6 year old GD asked this morning if she could take some money from her piggy bank as she wanted to buy a poppy at school so that she could "help the soldiers who have been hurt" I wear a red poppy to show support and respect. Of course it would be wonderful if the government funded the care needed but they don't, The British Legion do and I for one am sincerely grateful for that.

When our children were at primary school we pinned a poppy to their lapels because WE were wearing them. Of course we explained what it was all about. We noticed that most of their friends were wearing them as well. There was never any big deal about whether they should be worn or not. Some things are quite safe left in parents' hands.

nonu absolutely

Of course it would be great if the government did what they should do and helped all ex-servicemen. But until when and if they do, charity is better than nothing.

So you think children of primary school don't see and hear the news? They don't know that soldiers get injured in wars? I think they do. My grandsons do. And they understand that those soldiers need help. And that money from the sales of poppies go to help the soldiers.

The same as they understand what the charity "Help for Heroes" is all about.

Nobody preaches to them that war is good. Just that returning servicemen need help.

AREN"T they all?

Yes, I've worked in primary schools where they were sold. Mind you that was back in the 90s. I didn't approve at the time but the Headteacher was a law unto himself!

I don"t think they do do they ?

I will check with DD whether they sell them at their school .

They should not be sold in schools.

nonu, maybe not many schools do sell poppies. Let's hope so. And let's hope those that don't never feel pressurised to do so.

I don't think they should be sold in schools. Certainly not in primary schools.

I have seen very , very few children wear poppies .

Perhaps it is where I live , or is it that either schools do not sell them , or parents do not buy them ? .

Perplexed . [wry smile]