How do you feel about poppy wearing?

I do not wish to glorify war of any sort - and feel that (whether or not it is deliberate), that is exactly what the red poppy does. WW1 was purely a war fought between the big nations for markets, nothing to do with protecting any freedoms, except to make huge profits. In all wars the only real beneficeries are the arms manufacturers.
Whereas WW11 may have been slightly different it was largely caused by the over punitive reparations against germany following WW1.

The far too many wars that have been in place in the world throughout all my eighty plus years - have no remance, no glory and have involved death and degradation of more civilians that military personnel.

I wear a white poppy (from Peace Pledge Union), to commemorate ALL those deaths in war, from all nations, etc. I encourage people to ask me why I am wearing this, have never been hassled about it, and would really like to see more and more pople wearing thse in future - and saying NO to war.

I wear a red poppy and a white poppy entwined

HettyBetty

I don't feel I need to wear anything to "prove" I am remembering the dead, either the countless millions I will never know, or the ones I knew personally from more recent conflicts.

A simple poppy is fine, although mine would be white if I wore one. I dislike how red poppies have almost become a fashion statement at this time of year. There seem to be many opportunities to buy yet more plastic. I even saw a dog with a plastic poppy on its collar yesterday, and have seen large ones stuck on cars and lorries. Just stop all this posturing nonsense.

A little harsh, the sale of white poppies would not go to the RBL, the Peace Pledge charity has campaigns that are anti military.
I have a little red RBL poppy badge that comes out every year, I just make a donation.

But poppies on cars or lorries or even on dogs' collars all raise money for charities like the RBL, so what's the harm in them?

I don't feel I need to wear anything to "prove" I am remembering the dead, either the countless millions I will never know, or the ones I knew personally from more recent conflicts.

A simple poppy is fine, although mine would be white if I wore one. I dislike how red poppies have almost become a fashion statement at this time of year. There seem to be many opportunities to buy yet more plastic. I even saw a dog with a plastic poppy on its collar yesterday, and have seen large ones stuck on cars and lorries. Just stop all this posturing nonsense.

St Dunstans (which is an offshoot charity of the British Legion specialising in blind and partially sighted veterans) is one of my regular charities. They did a lot for my parents in later life and fought for my father to get a war pension which was initially refused him. However I dont think its necessary to wear a poppy to support these causes. I would never castigate someone for wearing or not wearing one.

So far as the TV is concerned it has become yet another means of virtue signalling when news presenters or personalities feel they cannot appear without one. Rather like one news reader who was slammed for wearing a burgundy tie rather than a black one when the queen died. How petty.

What charities people to support (or otherwise) is a very personal matter.

I am wearing a red poppy and also a purple poppy in memory of the animals who gave their lives. I think it is important that we remember. I don’t see this as glorifying war.

I also prefer both, I couldn't get a white poppy this year either. Quakers usually sell them but we didn't get any.

Poppies sold, the money should go to all affected by conflict.

Yes, it's one of those traditions that should not be forgotten.

I wear one. Several of my ancestors were killed in World War 1 and some in World War 2, some English, some Australian. We should always remember how terrible war is.

It's traditional. I've never questioned it. Even my dog usually wears one, but this year we were disorganised and no one did.

It saddens me that in this country we need a charity, the British Legion, to support servicemen and their families. Provision for them should automatically come from the government of the country they served.

GrannyGravy13

We have a DS in the military, I wear my poppy to commemorate those who have died for our Country along with those who still serve.

This

White poppy doesn't need to be worn or associated with the red one though.

A Peace poppy is a good idea, provided the funds go to a good cause.

But in competition? In November?
They stand for different things ideologically.

The white poppy has as much entitlement to Remembrance Day as the red. They were made by members of the Cooperative Women's Guild in 1926. Women who had lost husbands, sons, brothers in WW1 and who were worried about the increasing militarisation of society

I donate every year and wear a red poppy. I didn't know about white poppies. I might get one.
We will/shall/ must remember them.

Unless you've been living under a rock Grannyrose15, you may have heard that Russia declared war upon Ukraine. Ukraine didn't want it and they fought back not because they were scared of catching a cold. They were scared of losing their lives, homes and liberty. Have some respect.

How do I feel about poppy wearing?

I feel it's important we remember those who sacrificed.

We buy and wear red poppies every year. To remember members of our family who have served. To remember family members who died whilst serving.

We've been to Normandy, several times, to walk the cemeteries and look out over the Floating harbours at Arromanches-les-Bains, France.

Of course I've read the poem. It was written just a month into WW1 when the perception of the war was different to what it is now.

I've also stood many times where ex-servicemen have used the lines to remember their fallen friends. So I appreciate it when people get it right.

I've always been a poppy wearer as a mark of respect and gratitude. Interestingly, I was in a very busy Ikea cafe today when it was announced that the two minutes silence would be observed by the staff. My friend and I stood up and joined in. Gradually the thronging crowds began to notice that 'something' was going on and an amazing degree (not total) of quietness ensued. Interesting.......

"Grannyrose15 Covid isn't and never has been a cold - that was a distasteful comment."

I don't know what you think we were fighting for in the second world war, but I hope it wasn't for the right to destroy our children's futures so that us oldies could have a few more years of life.

What I find distasteful is the sanctimonious poppy wearers who never give a thought to how we have betrayed the memory of those who died by our recent actions.

I'm proud to wear a red poppy every year in remembrance of those who fought and suffered. The British legion do wonderful work and selling poppies is one way of raising the funds they need.

volver

Call me a pedant if you like.

We will remember them.

Binyon's lines. It's important.

Have you ever read the rest of the poem? If that doesn't glorify war and misrepresent the suffering it causes, then nothing does.

Ladyripple

I am a retired Army Officer,I wear a poppy to remember all those who have given their lives for us.

Many will give their lives in the future as well,the World is far from peaceful,I doubt it ever will be.

GrannyRose15’s post I find offensive,she clearly lives a blinkered life.

And that I find offensive. I have in no way lived a blinkered life. Just because you do not agree with me, does not make me wrong.

Prentice

Sometimes GrannyRose51 a country has no alternative but to enter a war, in which case we can still remember the soldiers who died and their families.It does us no harm to do this and is the least we can do for them.

I do actually agree with you. I just don't think that the war in Iraq (weapons of mass destruction) or that in Afghanistan (revenge for 9/11) fall into this category. There was an alternative and the damage done by going to war has been far reaching