[Firewire]

I don't wear one but I normally donate if I see a donations tin

[Rob!]

Tbh poppies have got a lot more political nuances behind them than they used to - as this thread has demonstrated, it's not just a case of remembering those who died. Until I completely understand what I'm pinning on my chest, I don't want to.

[Black Dagger]

Originally Posted by Firewire

I don't wear one but I normally donate if I see a donations tin

[2]

[Firewire]

Originally Posted by _LucasMichael_

[2]

Only reason for it really is that they only have plastic ones in Scotland so you can't really pin them to clothes.

[smudgie]

I don't buy a poppy every year as such, depends if I am out anD about.

I pay donations to the Help the Heroes twice a year through direct debit, one of my chosen charities.

I am eagerly awaiting the arrval of five of those beautiful poppies from the tower, had an email this morning to say they might not arrive until January.

As to wearing a white poppy, lovely sentiment wanting world peace..good luck with that one..perhaps a white dove would be more appropriate as it is the symbol of peace.

[joeysteele]

Yes,I always do.

[Kizzy]

I saw Caroline Lucas wearing both on question time, it is a wholly political issue war and one that is close to my heart as my grandfather actually served in WW1 ( yes I really am that old) the days of being proud to defend queen and country are they still as valid today as they were then....
Are mothers proud to send their sons to fight as it's for 'the greater good'?
I don't feel today it is as obvious what we are actually fighting for... which begs the question why? I don't feel those in power have as much respect for those who risk their lives reflected in how they are treated on return injured and traumatised either.

[Ammi]

..yes I do wear one, I would never think not to..I don't think that any of us have not benefited from a country who some have given their lives for..I usually wear it from around mid-October when we get them at the school...

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

I saw Caroline Lucas wearing both on question time, it is a wholly political issue war and one that is close to my heart as my grandfather actually served in WW1 ( yes I really am that old) the days of being proud to defend queen and country are they still as valid today as they were then....
Are mothers proud to send their sons to fight as it's for 'the greater good'?
I don't feel today it is as obvious what we are actually fighting for... which begs the question why? I don't feel those in power have as much respect for those who risk their lives reflected in how they are treated on return injured and traumatised either.

So your pride in wearing your poppy is greater because people were more patriotic when your grandfather served, regardless of the fact that largely working class men were sent to be cannon fodder in horrific conditions by a government that didn't care. Some were shot for cowardice when they were obviously suffering PTSD and thousands were horrifically wounded and had to rely on charity on their return. But people wearing a poppy in remembrance of someone who died more recently might not be so proud of their dead sons/husbands/fathers because you don't consider the later wars valid.

I am proud to wear my poppy for my Grandfather, for my Father and for my Husband all of whom were proud to serve their country. If people want to use Remembrance Day to score political points, then shame on them.

[JoshBB]

Originally Posted by Livia

So your pride in wearing your poppy is greater because people were more patriotic when your grandfather served, regardless of the fact that largely working class men were sent to be cannon fodder in horrific conditions by a government that didn't care. Some were shot for cowardice when they were obviously suffering PTSD and thousands were horrifically wounded and had to rely on charity on their return. But people wearing a poppy in remembrance of someone who died more recently might not be so proud of their dead sons/husbands/fathers because you don't consider the later wars valid.

I am proud to wear my poppy for my Grandfather, for my Father and for my Husband all of whom were proud to serve their country. If people want to use Remembrance Day to score political points, then shame on them.

I really like the idea of a red poppy meaning something to a specific individual, and that's why I wouldn't go around criticising people who do. The white poppy, in my opinion, is not supposed to be a political thing. If you were aiming this at Caroline, she wore both because she wanted to support the people who died while also showing that she doesn't want more people to die over mostly trivial reasons.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by JoshBB

I really like the idea of a red poppy meaning something to a specific individual, and that's why I wouldn't go around criticising people who do. The white poppy, in my opinion, is not supposed to be a political thing. If you were aiming this at Caroline, she wore both because she wanted to support the people who died while also showing that she doesn't want more people to die over mostly trivial reasons.

Josh... no one wants anyone to die. I'm going to clear up my position for you then I don't want to talk to you about this again. My husband died as a result of wounds received in Afghanistan. He was not a war monger, he didn't want to be at war... so if I want to wear my red poppy in remembrance of him, and be proud of him, and be a little pissed off that the white poppy brigade are hijacking the day, then I will be a little pissed off. If you want a white poppy day, have it some other time.

[Liam-]

Hijacking the day?.. The poppy is the sign of remembrance of all those soldiers who fought and died for the country.. if someone wants to wear a white poppy as a symbol of remembrance, which just so happens to be white as a symbol of wanting war to stop so no more people have to die, i don't the issue with that? They're still paying respects to the people everyone else is.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by LiamPRW

Hijacking the day?.. The poppy is the sign of remembrance of all those soldiers who fought and died for the country.. if someone wants to wear a white poppy as a symbol of remembrance, which just so happens to be white as a symbol of wanting war to stop so no more people have to die, i don't the issue with that? They're still paying respects to the people everyone else is.

They are not paying respect. They are taking the day and using it for their own political agenda. And actually, didn't you just hear about the white poppy the day before yesterday? And now you're telling me what it stands for?

Have your white poppy day at another time. Knock yourself out with it... and let us have Remembrance Day where the money raised from red poppies goes to support ex-servicemen and women and their families.

[Liam-]

So it's your way or the highway then? Because other people have ways of respecting, remembering and honouring that differ from yours, it's less valid that your way?

Last time i checked, that's now how this country works, everyone is entitled to show respect in any way they please, why should people have their 'white poppy day' any other time other than on remembrance day itself? It's all a part of honouring the soldiers, just with a different message, that no more people should have to die.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Livia

So your pride in wearing your poppy is greater because people were more patriotic when your grandfather served, regardless of the fact that largely working class men were sent to be cannon fodder in horrific conditions by a government that didn't care. Some were shot for cowardice when they were obviously suffering PTSD and thousands were horrifically wounded and had to rely on charity on their return. But people wearing a poppy in remembrance of someone who died more recently might not be so proud of their dead sons/husbands/fathers because you don't consider the later wars valid.

I am proud to wear my poppy for my Grandfather, for my Father and for my Husband all of whom were proud to serve their country. If people want to use Remembrance Day to score political points, then shame on them.

Nobody is doing this, my point is yes people were then more patriotic, and willing to serve as the enemy was palpable.
I did not say the wars were not valid, it was just not as evident what we were actually fighting for.