Are you buying a poppy this year?

Thank you for the pm grannyactivist. Yes you persuaded me that the RBL do valuable work with families and I will continue to make a donation every year.

I think what I dislike about the way remembrance day ceremonies are done is that it glorifies the "sacrifice" - nothing glorious about war and the heartbreak it causes is there. Neither does it talk about reconciliation post WW1 and 2.
So I may not actually wear a poppy.

I like the words on the Attaturk memorial in Wellington NZ, which have a very different spirit behind them

www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/ataturk-memorial-wellington

Hi, like merlotgran I wouldn't try to persuade you to buy a poppy either. I agree, absolutely with your thoughts JessM. I would perhaps argue that our forces are unfortunately ruled by whoever is in government and I take a dim view of all current political parties. But those in service, I think, deserve our show of support and are not to blame for the growth in militarism and they certainly deserve but don't receive enough support if they are injured out of service. And I'd end with adding many gave their lives long ago so we might have the priviledge of choice.

I've pm'd you Jess. Let us know what you decide.

I buy one, but have difficulty in supporting Help for Heroes. I do feel that we should remember the horrors of war, not just those who die but those who come home damaged mentally and physically and those at home who lose someone. On the other hand, I do agree with you, JessM, that we should be able to support our current servicemen if they are damaged. Also, I object to the ideas

1) that anyone who died in World Wars "laid down" their lives - I can't believe that they were any different from those who survived and both lots would contain the supremely brave as well as the cowardly. Sometimes it was just a matter of luck.

2) that anyone serving now is necessarily a hero. I don't say that they are not brave and otherwise admirable, but heroism is often thrust upon one without warning and should not be misused as a term.

Yes! 25 years as am army wife, in NI and other troubled places, makes me understand - how pointless war is, and yet how brave the servicemen and women who have selflessly died for what they truly believed in.

I grew up in married quarters, gracesmum and never felt isolated because I had many civilian friends. My parents had a lively social life and my mother taught in civilian schools so had a life outside the RAF.

Young wives have a support network amongst friends and professionals. They are free to pursue their own careers and although I can't speak for army barracks I would liken the 'marriage patch' I grew up in to a housing estate rather than a ghetto.

I wouldn't try to persuade anyone to buy a poppy if they don't want to because I think it's a personal choice. I wear mine in recognition of a sacrifice made by many, brave people. I come from a forces family and grew up with that recognition so it's an easy choice for me to make.

I have and do because of the sterling work done by the British Legion not only for ex-servicemen of the World Wars but for men and women injured and incapacitated in Iraq, Afghanistan, Ireland, wherever.
I also usually lose my poppy and have to dig out the last year's (if it survived) - car seat belts are usually to blame - as if I am poppy less I feel I should have a post it on my lapel saying "I did buy one, honest!"
Of course the best possible way to honour the dead in past wars wold be not to have any more. Can't see any politicians supporting my view though can you?
I entirely agree with what you say about care for those injured or incapacitated whether physically or mentally - and also care and support for the partners and children especially while they are deployed -when I watched Gareth Thingy's Wives' Choir, I though what an isolated life those young women lead, in their barracks ghetto, 2 or 3 tiny children, not much chance of a life off the base or a career and the mental and emotional stress of their existence. I wonder ifga agrees with me about that sort of life as I am talking without any experience whatsoever?