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Badge of honour
Is the Remembrance Sunday poppy past its sellby date?
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Pam,
The poppies you write of are available to "lesser mortals". Here in Northampton we have lots of them, aside from the standard paper ones, wooden crosses, car stickers and stickers. They are very popular and my fellow collectors and I were able to "sell" many on Saturday (NB: we never asked for a figure for any form of poppy, we let people donate whatever they wish).
Their correct name, I believe, is Altar Poppy.
Give your local RBL a call and I am sure you'll get one in time for Remembrance Sunday.
GV , Northampton,
Folks, it is a lack, not of education but of not making yourselves acquainted with what the Poppy Appeal stands for and what is done with the money.
First of all, it reminds us that but for the sacrifice of those who died and those who also fought for up to five years of their lives, either in WW2, Korea, or in the long Cold War, that we might all be speaking a different language or be dead.
Second, the money is used to help those who fought and their close relations who are in dire need to live, not in grand comfort like a drug-addled pop-star or an over paid footballer, but just to survive in relative comfort in their twilight years.
So please give generously. Go without that bottle of wine or vodka that may be killing you long-term and give the equivalent with gracious thanks to a really deserving fund as I, a retired ex-Serviceman has done for most of my adult 70 years, 13 of which were in the RAF.
B J Deller, Marbella, Spain
Sir,
I have two objections to the poppy appeal in its present form. first, as your correspondent Jon Miller points out, the poppies appear far too early and seem to be worn as some kind of statement, implying that those of us who buy one a day or so before Remembrance Sunday are unpatriotic or neglectful of our duty. I agree, too, that having donated should not require the ostentatious wearing of a badge. I have refused to wear one for the past few years, partly for that reason, but mainly because they have become such nasty, tacky, cardboard objects. I might reconsider, if the "de luxe" silky version, as worn by the Queen and other notables, were made available at extra charge to us lesser mortals. It seems that even when commemorating our war dead, we must remember our station: posh poppies for the officers, cardboard for the other ranks!
Pam Stockwell, Croydon,
How can it have a "sell-by-date"?! We are still indebted to the millions of people who gave their lives for this country in many wars, not just the First World War. If you, Mr Miller, do not feel that you can support people who have fought to defend this country (where you live safely and freely) then of course it is your choice to not wear such a symbol. Those of us, myself included, who are grateful to past and present servicemen and women will continue to wear our poppies with pride.
C. Miller, London,
Mr Millar fails to get the point of wearing a Poppy. It is not a receipt but an acknowlegement of the sacrifices made by millions of servicemen and women in maintaining his freedom to write such pointless letters to the Times.
Roy Angel, Staines, Middlesex
It is not necessary, strictly, Mr Miller but of course it is a good thing to wear a Poppy at this time of year. It is a reminder to others that our Armed Forces need Your Help; I doubt if anyone wears it to "show" they have donated, rather it's worn to express support. Other charities have "flag" days, too.
I expect more poppies are sold as a result of people wearing them - they are an advertisement, and an inexpensive and attractive one at that. The Poppy Appeal is the nearest most of the population come to saluting our servicemen and women. It's a nice tradition, too, and one that is well supported - but more support is needed.
It is extraordinary that a letter such as Jon Miller's should be written, particularly by someone who lives in a town that is home to a naval air station. Has he missed the media coverage of the problems faced by the armed forces in 2007?
A salute to the many people who wear their poppy with pride. Long may it continue.
Lester May, London, UK
The sacrifices made on our behalf should always be remembered, and there are still many veterans of the Second World War around. Since WWII I believe that there have been only 2 years when a British serviceman has not been killed, and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq continue.
By buying a poppy you are not promoting war but you are remembering, and paying homage to, the sacrifices made on our behalf.
As a Christian I look forward to the day when Remembrance Sunday will no longer be needed, but I don't think it will be any time soon. I will continue to humbly wear my poppy.
Rev R Barber, Newquay, UK