Remembrance Day

Mimpty · Post by **Mimpty** » 10 Nov 2004, 14:51

Following a letter in this moring's Metro about the lack of people wearing poppies, I looked out for how many people were wearing one and the answer was not many.
Do people feel it not important now - that WWI and WWII are too far back in history?

I'm not one for sporting charity ribbons as a rule but I have always bought and worn a poppy.

MrSpoon · Post by **MrSpoon** » 10 Nov 2004, 16:17

I got mine a week or so ago, but it appears to have fallen off my jacket

Guess I'll grab another

Am I not right in saying however that Rememberance Day is for the rememberance of all that have fallen in conflict, not JUST the World Wars (though it did start with them). If this is not the case, then time shouldn't be a factor (especially as the country is involved in combat right now) but perhaps a better communcation of what it's about is needed?

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 10 Nov 2004, 16:56

I bought one for me and one for the other half a few weeks ago to find the second one wasn't required. The other thing to remember is that I for one wear at least five different jackets ina week, and never remember to transfer the poppy, so you would only see me wearing one the day I wear that particular jacket. It doesn't mean I don't remember.

And one other thing - I nearly didn't buy them because of the style of them - a poppy on a very lethal pin. One of my sons asked if he could have one and I had to say no because they're just too dangerous, and not practical for anyone carrying small children, either. I was disappointed with that.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 10 Nov 2004, 18:24

My poppy has a pastic stem. Anyone know where can I buy a white "Peace" poppy ?

Mimpty · Post by **Mimpty** » 10 Nov 2004, 18:26

[quote="Bellybabe"]I for one wear at least five different jackets in a week,
That's just showing off!

You are right about the pins though, 'babe.

teddygirl · Post by **teddygirl** » 10 Nov 2004, 19:40

I heard on the news today that they have introduced "stick on" poppies. Don't know where you can get them though

CatzVP · Post by **CatzVP** » 11 Nov 2004, 06:38

My wifeÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s VP came into her office today from Kansas and asked, "What Canadian trend was it to wear those red flowers, and how dumb they looked"....

My wife explained to her about Remembrance...and the VP just shrugged and said "oh"

Yep these are the nation of people who police the world...they say!

Davie Bhoy · Post by **Davie Bhoy** » 11 Nov 2004, 10:40

I work in an offie of 6 and I am the only one wearing one - I mean jeezus. It should actually be some kinda offence not to.

Always remember.....

Post by **wangi** » 11 Nov 2004, 12:16

My office is about 50m away from where the things are made, and no one is wearing one.

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 11 Nov 2004, 12:46

Well

good call Mimpty.

I'm wearing one now.

There always used to be a family thing that involved giving money but refusing to wear the thing with Haigs name on it. But as you say its a long time ago.

Thanks for the reminder.

CatzVP · Post by **CatzVP** » 11 Nov 2004, 13:27

Davie Bhoy wrote:I work in an offie of 6 and I am the only one wearing one - I mean jeezus. It should actually be some kinda offence not to.

Always remember.....

No one seems to really have a clue what its all about nowadays....have their parents never mentioned it???

Davie has anyone asked you about yours?

Davie Bhoy · Post by **Davie Bhoy** » 11 Nov 2004, 13:29

I am the youngest in my office by a long way!!! Speaking Volumes!!??

CatzVP · Post by **CatzVP** » 11 Nov 2004, 13:43

if they are way older than you then

Good on you

....Shame on them

...!

Did they stop work at 11 today??

Davie Bhoy · Post by **Davie Bhoy** » 11 Nov 2004, 13:46

Yeah they did - but all ooking at each other as if it were a game - dobbers!!

Did I emphasise I was the youngest...!! Hee

CatzVP · Post by **CatzVP** » 11 Nov 2004, 13:59

Davie Bhoy wrote: Did I emphasise I was the youngest...!! Hee

Hey I was the youngest once... yep.... RoS 1990.... then I got older.....and Older....and now!!! oh god im so depressed!!

And the dudes in your office should get their A55'5 kicked for making a joke out of remembrance... if it wasnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t for the veterans they would be goose-stepping their way to work!

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 11 Nov 2004, 14:05

wangi wrote:My office is about 50m away from where the things are made, and no one is wearing one.

What do you mean made? ...you mean they're not real flowers

Mimpty · Post by **Mimpty** » 11 Nov 2004, 14:23

I haven't seen a white poppy for years, Marya, I don't know if they ever really took off.
I seem to remember that when they started out they were quite unpopular with some sections of society because they were felt to be hijacking the event /or missing the point of the day being about remembrance for those who did die.

Davie Bhoy · Post by **Davie Bhoy** » 11 Nov 2004, 14:26

Keep em red and keep it real.....!!

CatzVP · Post by **CatzVP** » 11 Nov 2004, 14:27

Davie Bhoy wrote:Keep em red and keep it real.....!!

Nicely said!

Davie Bhoy · Post by **Davie Bhoy** » 11 Nov 2004, 14:30

CatzVP - Why is it your wee pic at the side will not show up and has a red 'x' where the pic should be?

D

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 11 Nov 2004, 14:30

The 'approved'compromise was to wear both but I think that was just daft in the end. I think the tone of the event is however changing and people are happier now than they were that symbols such as the poppy can have multiple and individual meanings.

79 - 97 meant it was difficult not to see things in black and white. Now every thing has to have shades of grey. (which is good and bad!)

rathbone · Post by **rathbone** » 11 Nov 2004, 17:37

CatzVP wrote: Did they stop work at 11 today??

I was in the dentist's chair at eleven o'clock this morning having my six months check up and he actually stopped cleaning my teeth for the minute's silence. It's difficult to retain the correct respectful attitude when your gob is wide open with one of those suction tubes dangling out of it.

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 11 Nov 2004, 17:40

ROFL... What a picture, Rathbone!!!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 11 Nov 2004, 18:02

rathbone wrote:
CatzVP wrote: Did they stop work at 11 today??
I was in the dentist's chair at eleven o'clock this morning having my six months check up and he actually stopped cleaning my teeth for the minute's silence. It's difficult to retain the correct respectful attitude when your gob is wide open with one of those suction tubes dangling out of it.

he probably charged the NHS another Ã‚Â£50.

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 11 Nov 2004, 18:33

Porty wrote:
he probably charged the NHS another Ã‚Â£50.

NHS Dentist? Where?

CatzVP · Post by **CatzVP** » 11 Nov 2004, 18:35

Rathbone

Not being disrespecful to the veterans, but that is too funny!!

MrSpoon · Post by **MrSpoon** » 11 Nov 2004, 21:37

I was one of very few people who participated in the 2 minutes silence in the New College Lunch hall today - out of about 40 people

There's no excuse for not knowing or age there either - poppy's were on sale, posters were up, and most people were 30-40 and above

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 12 Nov 2004, 09:08

The white poppies are still around. It was seeing someone wearing one that made me ask where I could get one.
I'll cheer you up with my experience of yesterday. I was teaching my class of 30 Third Year pupils(14/15 years old) and told them I intended to mark a minute's silence just before the 11 o'clock bell rang to announce their breaktime. I then forgot until one of the pupils reminded me. We sat in silence for about 10 seconds then the bell rang. Normally this would signal a rush to pack away jotters and to get to the door, but instead no-one budged an inch and we all continued our silence with not a single pupil breaking it. I was really proud of them.

Mimpty · Post by **Mimpty** » 12 Nov 2004, 17:54

Noticed Tommy Sheridan and Rosie Kane wearing the white ones yesterday. I've never seen them though.
I would still say have a national/ international day of peace or war protest or whatever you want to call it, but let Remembrance Day be special for remembering those who have died in conflict.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 12 Nov 2004, 19:30

I think you can show respect for all those who have died in conflict whilst refraining from glorifying War. As Wilfred Owen wrote;

My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.

Many of the conscientious objectors in the First World War for example, were very brave men who died under enemy fire while acting as stretcher bearers etc. And now in Iraq many of the dead are not in the military but innocent civilians.
I'm not an Earl Haig fan myself...but as I have said, do choose to mark the day and wear a poppy.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 12 Nov 2004, 20:25

I'm with you on this one Maria. I would prefer to wear a white poppy, grieving the dead of all wars while demonstrating a belief that conflicts can be resolved without resort to death and destruction. We may think we are the smartest animals on earth but in some ways we have barely evolved at all.