Wear your Poppy with pride...

[Deleted member 15344]

I have no idea - I cannot read peoples minds and so don't project what they might be thinking. But if no-one is bothered (which would be marvellous) then what is the fuss about folk NOT wearing a poppy all about. Am I being told to wear a poppy as it is disrespectful to not wear one - or am I not. If I choose to not wear a poppy is that being disrespectful - or is it not. Sorry. Confused. I will wear one at church on Remembrance Sunday.

I believe the fuss isn't about no wearing a poppy it's more about the public declaration of not wearing one and the reasons they give and turning it into a political symbol

I very much doubt anyone would judge you personally for not wearing one - haven't recalled anyone tell you that you must wear one or that you are disrespectful if you don't wear one

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I believe the fuss isn't about no wearing a poppy it's more about the public declaration of not wearing one and the reasons they give and turning it into a political symbol

I very much doubt anyone would judge you personally for not wearing one - haven't recalled anyone tell you that you must wear one or that you are disrespectful if you don't wear one

OK - that's good. See how the 'chinese whispers' effect can warp a message ever so subtly but sometimes significantly

On your main point I tend not to worry too much about what others might say about their not wearing of a poppy. I can't effect change in what others think (unless possibly I can speak with them) - and whilst I might disagree with what they say I just don't let myself get annoyed or irritated. There are other things that upset me that I can do something about and so direct my efforts in helping where I actually can make a difference.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

When I was young I didn't wear one but that changed in the mid 90's.

Between 1995-1998 I took 3 yrs off from painting to obtain my PSV license and they got a got driving around the UK and Europe.

Got to do some cracking tours in the south of Europe but 3 tours that will stay with me for many a year were taking some D-Day Veterans along to the Normandy beach's.

Tours were 4 days each and I had the honour of walking beach's with them and listening to the sad but sometime funny story's.

One chap was telling me how he ran from the landing craft up the beach with, he said 20-25 others, total distance 40-50 yrs, he was the only one who made it unharmed. 6 others were alive but badly hurt. He could still recall all of the name of his fallen comrades and visits the beach to say sorry to them every year.

I said to him that I understand why he comes here but why does he feels he has to say sorry to his comrades ,he told me, with tears in his eyes ( to be honest by this time he wasn't the only one ) because he left them there and couldn't help them and he will never forgive himself for doing so and leaving them.

That was just one of many story's told but can say with hand of heart, not one of them didn't have me with tears in my eyes.

It was a great honour just to be with these fine and brave men and I for one will always remember.

So I will remember and wear my poppy with pride as I have done ever since.

Fantastic story.

 

[User62651]

Interesting thread.
For me I don't give it much thought, probably should but so caught up in work and family life and trying to get by I haven't really considered it much in last 20 yrs tbh. As a youth I did remembrance day events with the Scouts and with my School because that's what you did, carrying flags and laying poppy wreaths etc but since then have not got involved with marking the day or observing a silence in the UK. I did however, in my year out in Oz, very often find myself in the RSL at 6pm where they stand and observe silence daily for fallen servicemen which was a good thing. The RBL here just seems like it for the oldies, never been in. In Oz the RSL is for all ages.

I don't feel any pressure at all to buy or wear a poppy, I see them on tv newsreaders but I haven't noticed the public wearing them much or anyone selling them round here. It just doesn't register with me these days as something I need to think much about.

My association with the poppy is of the military and perhaps that's wrong. As someone who, the older they get, increasingly can't be bothered with the pomp class driven nonsense and glorification of military and the sheer cost of running the military for little apparent gain, being fed media pictures of Prince Harry firing a cannon from a helicopter at Taliban or whatever and being expected to admire that, its largely BS to me and a throwback to empire for a little country who no longer hits with the big boys but whose well-off, traditionalist, upper class element still wants to, whilst much of the country can barely feed itself. Seems all wrong.
I should of course think of the poppy as a means of remembering the fallen common man of WW1 and WW11 in particular who had very little choice in serving and died or were injured/traumatised for it. A huge sacrifice and one I have great admiration and respect for.

The James McLean situation I'm divided on, can see both sides there but should football teams be putting poppies on their shirts, they didn't used to - keep sports and politics separate imo and poppy wearing is clearly political in some parts of UK. If McLean feels that strongly then let him be, he should have the choice and you have to admire his determination at least given the flak he's getting and has had before.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Interesting thread.
For me I don't give it much thought, probably should but so caught up in work and family life and trying to get by I haven't really considered it much in last 20 yrs tbh. As a youth I did remembrance day events with the Scouts and with my School because that's what you did, carrying flags and laying poppy wreaths etc but since then have not got involved with marking the day or observing a silence in the UK. I did however, in my year out in Oz, very often find myself in the RSL at 6pm where they stand and observe silence daily for fallen servicemen which was a good thing. The RBL here just seems like it for the oldies, never been in. In Oz the RSL is for all ages.

I don't feel any pressure at all to buy or wear a poppy, I see them on tv newsreaders but I haven't noticed the public wearing them much or anyone selling them round here. It just doesn't register with me these days as something I need to think much about.

My association with the poppy is of the military and perhaps that's wrong. As someone who, the older they get, increasingly can't be bothered with the pomp class driven nonsense and glorification of military and the sheer cost of running the military for little apparent gain, being fed media pictures of Prince Harry firing a cannon from a helicopter at Taliban or whatever and being expected to admire that, its largely BS to me and a throwback to empire for a little country who no longer hits with the big boys but whose well-off, traditionalist, upper class element still wants to, whilst much of the country can barely feed itself. Seems all wrong.
I should of course think of the poppy as a means of remembering the fallen common man of WW1 and WW11 in particular who had very little choice in serving and died or were injured/traumatised for it. A huge sacrifice and one I have great admiration and respect for.

The James McLean situation I'm divided on, can see both sides there but should football teams be putting poppies on their shirts, they didn't used to - keep sports and politics separate imo and poppy wearing is clearly political in some parts of UK. If McLean feels that strongly then let him be, he should have the choice and you have to admire his determination at least given the flak he's getting and has had before.

A lot of fair points and honesty which I respect and is nice to see, one point on the Military and what the Poppy means, there has only been 1 year since the second World War that we have not lost a service person on active service, the Army with cut backs after cut backs would fit into Wembley Stadium. Judging the glorification of it against 1 man is grossly unfair in my opinion to the rest of the men and women who serve and protect this country on a daily basis.
Let's also not forget the RBL look after the Civilians who served, and the families of those who supported the Servicemen and women,
It is not only the 1st and 2nd World Wars were the common man had very little choice, you may argue conscription finished in the late 50's and since then anyone has served has made a choice, maybe I can or cannot disagree, but that argument can be used for 99% of life.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

This is from the Royal British Legions own website....

***
Why is the poppy red?

The poppy is red because of the natural colour of field poppies. It is NOT red to reflect the colour of blood. The poppy is a humble, neutral and universal symbol of Remembrance and hope.
______________________________________

The right way to wear a poppy

There is no right or wrong way to wear a poppy. It is a matter of personal choice whether an individual chooses to wear a poppy and also how they choose to wear it. The best way wear a poppy, is to wear it with pride.
______________________________________

When to wear a poppy

The correct time to wear a poppy is whenever you wish to show your support for the British Armed Forces past and present. Traditionally, the Poppy Appeal runs for the two weeks leading up to Armistice Day or Remembrance Sunday, whichever is later.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

This is from the Royal British Legions own website....

***
Why is the poppy red?

The poppy is red because of the natural colour of field poppies. It is NOT red to reflect the colour of blood. The poppy is a humble, neutral and universal symbol of Remembrance and hope.
______________________________________

The right way to wear a poppy

There is no right or wrong way to wear a poppy. It is a matter of personal choice whether an individual chooses to wear a poppy and also how they choose to wear it. The best way wear a poppy, is to wear it with pride.
______________________________________

When to wear a poppy

The correct time to wear a poppy is whenever you wish to show your support for the British Armed Forces past and present. Traditionally, the Poppy Appeal runs for the two weeks leading up to Armistice Day or Remembrance Sunday, whichever is later.

I mentioned to the wife about people wearing a poppy too early and she said 'would you have noticed if it had been the Macmillan primrose'. Good point.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I don't mind at all whether people do or do not wear a poppy. It should be entirely up to the person in question.

I dislike the way people come out and justify not wearing one from some kind of political standpoint. Some do this from a self serving perspective, others do it because they feel they have to justify not wearing one.

The only thing that I'm absolutely certain of is that the poppy shouldn't be turned into something to argue about. James McLean doesn't want to wear one, that's his choice. He only has to explain himself because others use the poppy as a tool with which to judge him. If he were going on an anti-poppy tour of the country, that would be very different.

People should spend a lot less time worrying about other people and focus on themselves and being the person they want to be, not trying to inflict their own views on others.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I don't mind at all whether people do or do not wear a poppy. It should be entirely up to the person in question.

I dislike the way people come out and justify not wearing one from some kind of political standpoint. Some do this from a self serving perspective, others do it because they feel they have to justify not wearing one.

The only thing that I'm absolutely certain of is that the poppy shouldn't be turned into something to argue about. James McLean doesn't want to wear one, that's his choice. He only has to explain himself because others use the poppy as a tool with which to judge him. If he were going on an anti-poppy tour of the country, that would be very different.

People should spend a lot less time worrying about other people and focus on themselves and being the person they want to be, not trying to inflict their own views on others.

If WBA play 3 games during this period around the Country and he's the only one not wearing one, it does stand out.

It's not about inflicting views on each other, surely it's a discussion and actual understanding other views, whether you agree or not, isn't that what education and tolerance is about, if we don't, we risk slipping into ignorance and a lack of understanding.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

If WBA play 3 games during this period around the Country and he's the only one not wearing one, it does stand out.

It's not about inflicting views on each other, surely it's a discussion and actual understanding other views, whether you agree or not, isn't that what education and tolerance is about, if we don't, we risk slipping into ignorance and a lack of understanding.

It stands out because all the other players have it on their shirts, yes, but why is it on their shirts at all?

Fine if they actively choose to wear it, but it just being on their shirts because the shirt maker has put it on there isn't an act of respect. They might want to wear one, equally they might just be apathetic. I'm sure a vast number of people wear one because they think they should be seen to be wearing one and might actually be apathetic about what it stands for. That's not an act of respect.

McLean is branded disrespectful for not wearing one - but in of itself, that's not really a disrespectful act. It should be up to him whether he wears one or not, but clearly others don't think that to be the case. He only has to justify his decision not to because others are judging him. So in my mind, that is inflicting their view of the world on him. From his note to Dave Whelan, I would say he does understand where other people are coming from, and whether you agree with him or not, his view should also be respected. He is not saying that other people should not wear the poppy, or that the poppy is a bad thing, he just doesn't want to wear one, and that should be his choice and his choice alone.

 

[Old Skier]

It stands out because all the other players have it on their shirts, yes, but why is it on their shirts at all?
.

Because the shirts are auctioned off to fans with all proceeds going to the Royal British Legion.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Because the shirts are auctioned off to fans with all proceeds going to the Royal British Legion.

The poppy isn't actually a crucial part of that though. James McLean's shirt could still be auctioned.

 

[davidy233]

I photographed a top division match in Scotland last season at this time of year where every player (including a German player) except one had a poppy on their shirt - nobody made an issue of it.

 

[Old Skier]

The poppy isn't actually a crucial part of that though. James McLean's shirt could still be auctioned.

As long as the money goes to TRBL I don't care if it has a poppy on or not. Football clubs do a great deal for charities through the year and it just happens at this time of the year they choose to raise money for TRBL.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

The Premier League made the decision that they would support the Poppy Appeal and all teams were to have a Poppy on their shirts for the two week period upto Remembrance Sunday.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The Premier League made the decision that they would support the Poppy Appeal and all teams were to have a Poppy on their shirts for the two week period upto Remembrance Sunday.

If that's the case and I'm not doubting you, do those that choose not to have one get into any sort of trouble with the PL or does the club. Just curious if the league have made the decision and not left it to clubs/players

 

[Deleted member 16999]

If that's the case and I'm not doubting you, do those that choose not to have one get into any sort of trouble with the PL or does the club. Just curious if the league have made the decision and not left it to clubs/players

It's not about punishing anyone, it was to show support and raise awareness, McLean's decision is between him and the club.

 

[Blue in Munich]

The poppy isn't actually a crucial part of that though. James McLean's shirt could still be auctioned.

The poppy actually makes that shirt pretty unique, so whilst McLean's shirt could be auctioned off its value will be greatly diminished in comparison.

 

[Old Skier]

And for those that actually go to matches you may see at this time of year the lucky winners wearing them.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It's not about punishing anyone, it was to show support and raise awareness, McLean's decision is between him and the club.

I didn't assume the player per se would get punished but wondered if the PL do voice their disapproval and while I understand it is a purely individual decision, whether the club feels any pressure to "persuade" their players to wear the shirt.