Poppies

Yes, I was forgetting that, Jodi.

Didn't mean to blank your post GA that is really sad. Whatever we feel about war we do have a duty of care to these young men and woman.
ana not sure that I want young children to wear poppies either, but then it's almost impossible when they are sold in schools.

I agree with grannyactivist. I hate being stopped by young men looking for funds for "Help for Heroes" and I don't wear a red poppy but a white one bought through CND. Recently someone came round the doors selling bracelets for "injured troops". I don.t know if they were legitimate or not but I sent them packing. However I do give money to the Earl Haig Fund and I did put money in the "Help for Heroes" tin. But, and it is a big but - I am appalled that these young men, often terribly injured, should rely on charity to get the help they need. They are our responsibility as they were sent in our name and they should certainly get every help and assistance they need from our taxes. It is disgusting that they should have to rely on charity.

Exactly Jo5 I was stating my view. So my view that you were rude is just as valid as your staring something is rubbish.

Yesterday my daughter learned the sad news that another young man suffering from PTSD after serving in Afghanistan has taken his own life. If the government was taking care of these young men then perhaps the British Legion would become defunct and there would be no need to raise funds from poppies.

I wouldn't be making children wear a poppy! Not unless they're old enough to understand the meaning behind it.

The white poppy began as a symbol from women in the first world war who had lost their menfolk, and knew that if things carried on as they were, there would be another war.
Have to go and pick up my grandchildren, and find out if they are wearing red poppies.

"Rude"? This is a forum. We state our views. We argue. That is allowed. That is what it's all about. It's not only a support place.

Nothing rude about it.

I've said all I have to say. I will always support the Poppy Appeal. I hate it when I hear another soldier has been killed. I feel for him and his family. I'm sure we all do. If buying a poppy helps just a little bit, then I will do so.

Well said, greatnan.

We must not forget "Teflon " aka Bushs poodle , either

The Peace Pledge Union wants what you all say you want, no more war.
And warmongers have appropriated the red poppy which was first sold in France for war orphans not for soldiers killed in battle.
I have been door-to-door for the British Legion. I come from a long line of soldiers, not just my brother and sister, and father, but my grandfather and great grandfather.
Most people in those early days became soldiers to earn money because they were from poor backgrounds.
My grandfather and great grandfather were in the army in India at the time of the Raj.
I am sorry for you, because a white wreath is going to be laid at the cenotaph. Lots of white poppies.
Oh, and I have white poppies and red poppies in my garden. They look really good together.
On another point, you cannot leave children out of it if you want them to remember that war is pointless. Just look at 9/11 to think about what can be achieved without weapons now.
Yesterday there was an article about how unsafe Sellafield is.
The army would be no use if a plane was hijacked by Iranians and crashed into Sellafield. We need peace in the world, not more posturing.
I await a white feather through the post!

That's very rude JO5

Thanks for the history lesson, absentgrana

The treatment of ex-servicemen and women in the UK is shameful. Whatever their reasons for joining the forces, most have done what they saw as their duty - they certainly did not start the wars or choose where to fight. Many suffer PTSD years after discharge and they are disproportionately represented in prisons, psychiatric hospitals and amongst the homeless and alcoholics. If they entered at 17, they may have never known any other life and are unused to life outside an institution. There are charities, but I don't believe they should have to rely on them - the government recruited them and the government should care for them.
The wives and children of servicemen are often treated badly after marriage breakdown,even where the problem has been caused by the effects of combat.

I often think sadly of the US servicemen who were sent to Vietnam, suffered and saw their friends die, and came back to be told they were fighting an unjust war and were vilified. No ticker tape parades for them.

jendurham I applaud your decision to wear a white poppy.

I am dismissive because the white poppy rubbish needs to be dismissed.

Can't you choose a flower/day for yourselves? And leave the majority of the British public alone on the 11th of the 11th.

peace pledge union

Oh yes. It sounds very helpful.

Do you really need to be quite so dismissive jo5?
The white poppy is for the Peace Pledge Union which you would know if you had read my previous post.
The website is ppu.org.uk
You will find a lot about it on there.

You will also find out that the red poppy was originally sold in France to get funds for the children orphaned in the first world war.

I've lost mine.

I buy a poppy every year but would never wear one, for all the reason posted above. It's complicated but I will not be shamed into wearing one.

I wear a poppy because I want to .

If others don"t want that is their choice .

The money I give , helps the British Legion in the fine job they do .

I wouldn't bring children into it. It's other people doing just that that I'm objecting to.

Elegran says what I would like to say...only more eloquently.

Mine always loved their poppies.

Didn't need to understand fully.

Oh for goodness sake! Don't bring children into it!

Just give 'em a pound.