The time has come around again for the annual Poppy Appeal leading up to Remembrance Sunday. For those of you who don’t know what this is, the poppy appeal is The Royal British Legion’s annual fundraiser. The Legion is the UK's leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces, and their dependants. Currently, nearly 10.5 million people are eligible for their support and they help tens of thousands new applicants every year. It was founded shortly after the end of the First World War to ensure veterans and their families received support and an outlet to be heard when politicians and the population in general would rather forget them. It still does the same today, caring for the ex-service community – not just from the World Wars – but all the other subsequent major conflicts such as Iraq, the Falklands, the Gulf, Rwanda, Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan.

Last year, they had a marked upturn in contributions, no thanks to the government who have persistently cut funding to the charity, but instead from the public – and in particular the younger generation - who are thankfully becoming more aware of the importance of the Poppy Appeal. So, if you are feeling flush and would like to help out – no matter how modest a contribution – please go here to donate directly to the appeal or if you would like more information about the charity itself, you can find out more here. Thanks.

Very nice post phil. thanks.

I agree Phil...and I applaud you for detailing it all on here!........Great post mate!......

I humbly make a contribution through the purchase/donation towards a poppy button each year. The volunteers ... volunteers are out in full force each year ... and I have yet to see a negative response to them in my country.

For me, they are a welcomed reminder to give back to those that, in the most tragic of circumstances ... have given their lives.

They are a most welcome reminder indeed and thanks for your support Les.

I think that's a wonderful thing to do for servicemen's families Phil, I applaud The Royal British Legion's efforts in this regard. The families of soldiers need all the support they can get.

i for one recommend underwire...sorry just had to..
in all seriousness, i know a few vets (diff wars, but same issue) and they are under-appreciated...i applaud any efforts to support them, and their families, since afterall we reap the benefits of their efforts and sacrifice...imagine waking up every morning and going to school or work and saluting a nazi flag? i think not

"Lest we forget."

An interesting Canadian story that I am proud to share.

Very nice post, Phil....
Quite honestly....I think that some of us in USA { at least me, anyway}....sometimes
fails to think outside the box, and never really realized or gave thought to other countries and the after-shocks they go thru after serving side by side with us. I will definitely donate and thank you for this post. Terri/MM

We here in Canada have similarly watched as government reduces the amount of funding, as well as, changes in tax laws that have dramatically affected charitable organizations (methods and types of fundraising have been drastically curtailed).

I would counsel those reading to listen to your hearts and minds and plan ... as part of your overall household budgeting ... to give consideration to some worthy recipients. Yes, there are tax break incentives ... and no, I do not believe that is a bad thing either.

The end of the tax year is nigh ... give it some thought, that's all.

Well I must as a patriot of this fine Isle agree with you Mr C.

Very good point however what is disturbing is the lack of respect elsewhere. (That is another thread).

God rest their soles and should the day come along where I get to meet them I hope I am worthy of their time. Especially my Great Unkles / Great Grandads & my Grandads. God rest your soles.

It’s good to see that last year, the charity received a record level of donations as in these times, more than any other in recent history; their work is needed more than ever. I just hope that impetus can be maintained and they continue to be supported to the highest level. Perhaps then, governments would wake up to their responsibilities and pitch in more to the care of the community that has suffered at their behest.

Just because.

Currently broke me is not donating to any charities this year… but I bang the drum for em!

*picks up drumsticks* 8•P

p.s. anybody ever wonder what would happen if the taxes we pay to do things like you know… make sure the streets are paved, educate the kids, help the less fortunate, and keep the libraries open and accessible @ reasonable hours… actually went towards those things? Can I sue my government for fraud & financial mismanagement?

drumsticks .. and .. a soapbox

8•P

*considers the viability of Cat's enquiry*

Wellll ... Cat was a product of that educational system ... despite her relative short stay at the post-secondary level (I keed, I keed ... I am so keeding) ... yep, you have a very strong case, methinks. :oP


"IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields."

Like we didn’t know it already, the forces of political correctness are operating on a different planet to the rest of us. The approach of remembrance Sunday has brought this to the forefront again with the Anglican church calling for the abolition of the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance. The director of Ekklesia, Jonathan Bartley, said red poppies implied redemption through war, but Christianity seeks redemption through non-violence. He added: "The Christian tradition, and specifically the crucifix, have a great deal in common with the poppy. "Both are linked to sacrifice. Both take a location of bloodshed and violence and make a statement about it. Mr Bartley, a member of the Church of England, also said churches should offer congregations alternatives to the red poppy such as a white one.

Aside from being an insensitive, ill informed and callous creature - Mr. Bartley singularly failed to realise that the wearing of a red poppy is a completely secular decision based on respect and remembrance and, as the British Legion describes it "a symbol of the need to reflect on the human cost of war". The poppy and in particular it’s colour having nothing to do with crucifixion but is instead a direct and instantly recognisable reference to the poppy fields of Europe where many of the horrific battles of the World Wars were played out, immortalised in McCrae’s In Flanders Fields & Moira Michael’s We Shall Keep the Faith poems. Last time I checked, the only symbolism a field of white poppies conjures up is mass opium and heroin production - hardly a fitting alternative.

Perhaps concerned at being seen to upset the church, several large UK retailers banned the Poppy Appeal from selling poppies on their properties but high profile media coverage subsequently shamed them into retracting this ludicrous decision and allow the poppy sellers back. It’s high time people like Bartley dropped back into the real world and started talking sense rather than issuing mealy mouthed sound bites designed to court personal publicity whilst flattering both their own egos and pandering to lobbyists and pressure groups eager to stamp on and forget about the very people who fought for the luxury of freedom of expression that is now squandered on this vile ecumenical raving. For shame Mr.Bartley, for shame.

Ummm... since when were flowers a symbol of violence? I don't get it. Why is a white poppy more "peaceful" than a red one? Couldn't I equally argue that since a red rose is a symbol of romance, a red poppy symbolises redemption through romance? Makes about as much sense to me.

Not only does the red poppy symbolise the fields at Flanders, but I also have in my mind that they represent the blood of all those that died.

Re: white poppies. Quite frankly I hadn't heard of this attempt to hijack the day of Remembrance until last year.

Perhaps the white feather would be more appropriate for the peace types (but that's just my opinion)