Why do people feel so strongly about wearing poppies..?

[Section Q]

Whether you do or you don't wear one, people have strong opinions either way. Some veterans have given up wearing them because they feel they've been hijacked for social or trendy reasons, and others think they actually glorify war/conflict. When I was a kid poppies were sold to remember casualties of war and the proceeds were used to help those affected or their famillies. Not too sure where I stand on this now.

[Cade]

The wearing of poppies used to be about remembering the errors of the past, the folly of war, mourning a lost generation and a dignified, "never again" symbol.

 

Somewhere along the line, it got hijacked and is now seen as glorifying war and open-ended support for our continuing military misadventures overseas.

 

It has become a political statement, driven by the rabid right wing press who hounded and vilified any public figure not adorning themselves with a paper flower for a few days in November.

[Arnold Rothstein]

If people want to wear one fine. If people don't want to wear one fine. Don't have a go at people doing either though. That's my stance.

[Justin Z]

Somewhere along the line, it got hijacked and is now seen as glorifying war and open-ended support for our continuing military misadventures overseas.

 

I recently learned from a pal that poppies suddenly started showing up everywhere highly coincidentally just as everything started going tits up in Iran and Afghanistan.

 

Coming as I do from the land of opportunistic, commercialised patriotism, this didn't surprise me at all, though it was mightily disappointing.

 

 

The wearing of poppies used to be about remembering the errors of the past, the folly of war, mourning a lost generation and a dignified, "never again" symbol.

 

The same friend also sent me this photo, which chilled me to the bone:

 

 

 

If people want to wear one fine. If people don't want to wear one fine. Don't have a go at people doing either though. That's my stance.

 

Agree completely with this.

[Auld Reekin']

If people want to wear one fine. If people don't want to wear one fine. Don't have a go at people doing either though. That's my stance.

 

...and a very good one it is too.

[redm]

I used to wear one for the reasons Cade outlined above, namely remembering errors of the past and those who have died in conflict. I feel really weird about the idea of doing it now, because I'd worry I was actually wearing a symbol to which some people attach a whole different meaning. I don't know. I feel strange about it, and uncomfortable. Maybe that'll change again in time. It does seem to have been hijacked in a big way though.

 

However, I hate that this stuff is even a debate never mind the undignified fights that seem to have broken out all over the place. Wear one if you want, don't wear one if you don't want, but having a go at people for their choices couldn't be more inappropriate or less respectful in the circumstances. I'm in the quiet, dignified reflection camp rather than the group who seem to think it's all about what you do or don't wear on your lapel.

[Cade]

If people want to wear one fine. If people don't want to wear one fine. Don't have a go at people doing either though. That's my stance.

Yup. 

 

[Nookie Bear]

The wearing of poppies used to be about remembering the errors of the past, the folly of war, mourning a lost generation and a dignified, "never again" symbol.

 

Somewhere along the line, it got hijacked and is now seen as glorifying war and open-ended support for our continuing military misadventures overseas.

 

It has become a political statement, driven by the rabid right wing press who hounded and vilified any public figure not adorning themselves with a paper flower for a few days in November.

 

What about all the football fans - many Hearts fans included - who vilify celtic and James McLean for exactly the same reason?

 

Are they all rabid right-wingers?

[Fitzroy Pointon]

My mum showed me a catalogue she got through the door from Poppy Scotland.  A catalogue!!  You can get ice scrapers, mouse mats, hoodies, mugs.  Added to this is the ridiculous "crystal and leaf" poppies on show on TV the past few days.

 

It's no longer a dignified symbol, its become a fashion statement.  Like everything in this day and age is shoved in your face rather than left to the individual to decide on. As mentioned above, the media do not help but blow it up beyond proportion at this time of the year.   

 

I'll wear a poppy in respect of those who have died in conflict over the years but I don't buy into what it has become.  

[Peebo]

I recently learned from a pal that poppies suddenly started showing up everywhere highly coincidentally just as everything started going tits up in Iran and Afghanistan.

 

Coming as I do from the land of opportunistic, commercialised patriotism, this didn't surprise me at all, though it was mightily disappointing.

Never really linked the two, myself.

 

Personally, I reckon social media has turned it into such a divisive issue. There loads of things which become trendy to argue about and latch on to in order to advance agendas. They soon fade. The whole poppy debate recurs every year now. It's really quite cringeworthy.

[Seymour M Hersh]

Never really linked the two, myself.

 

Personally, I reckon social media has turned it into such a divisive issue. There loads of things which become trendy to argue about and latch on to in order to advance agendas. They soon fade. The whole poppy debate recurs every year now. It's really quite cringeworthy.

 

As it seems to do for almost everything which is why I refer to it as unsocial media.

[Regal Kingston]

I think it was very important to honour those who fought in WW1 & WW2 as our national security was in jeopardy.

The poppy for me was all about honouring the old guys who fought in these wars.

However we are now at the stage where the youngest fighters of WW2 will be around 90 years old.

 

I'm not sure about Great Britain's motives in a number of conflicts since then?

I am in awe of the soldiers who have lost their lives (or body parts) from various missions but have to wonder why they were sent there?

 

Anyway - The fact is these people need to be protected.

I would gladly pay a few pound a month more in tax to support them.

Wearing a poppy is a personal choice but supporting the families of those who have given their lives for their country is essential.

[Section Q]

I think it was very important to honour those who fought in WW1

However we are now at the stage where the youngest fighters of WW2 will be around 90 years old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

First World War ended 98 years ago.

Think they're all dead now.

 

[Section Q]

What about all the football fans - many Hearts fans included - who vilify celtic and James McLean for exactly the same reason?

 

Are they all rabid right-wingers?

McLean cites "the troubles" for his refusal to wear the emblem.

[Tazio]

McLean cites "the troubles" for his refusal to wear the emblem.

Which is where the issue lies for me. The poppy is now seen by many as a symbol of the British armed forces as opposed to helping ex servicemen and women who are no longer part of it.

[jamtartan74]

Was asked to wear one on the way to the game on Saturday by a family member and declined, it never used to bother me and would wear it without question but now I feel a bit uncomfortable doing so for some reason. It's too in your face now, each to their own though but not for me anymore.

 

 

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[doctor jambo]

Considering that the politicians continue to wear them, whilst continuing to ignore what they mean shows exactly how much the poppy has been devalued.

 

" you wear a peace symbol on your jacket, but write born to kill on your helmet" to misquote FMJ

 

"it shows the duality of man"

 

If anything the members of government should be BARRED from wearing it as long as British troops are engaged in a theatre of war, that would possibly be a more potent symbol.

[blondejamtart]

Wearing a poppy is something I feel very strongly about, but then I have very personal reasons for doing so. For me, as the mother of a serving soldier, it is not only a symbol of respect for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in various conflicts over the years, but a gesture of thanks that my son - at the age of 18 - returned safe and sound from a tour of Afghanistan, when many others did not. I have army mum friends whose sons either did not return at all, or suffered life-changing injuries, so my poppy (I have a brooch which I wear all year round in addition to the traditional Remembrance poppy) is my own small way of remembering them and how lucky I am not to be in their position. 

However, having said that, I do feel it is very much a matter of individual choice - wear one or don't wear one, it's up to you.

[Pans Jambo]

I unfriended a 'friend' on FB yesterday (He's a celtic supporter) as he 'liked' a republican post which had people stating 'stick yer poppy up yer arse' and 'It's a blood stained symbol' etc.

 

Really poisonous and I really don't understand what they connect the symbol with? Is it to do with the British Army in N.I. during the troubles or is it to do with the fight against Britain for a free Ireland back in the day or what?

 

Did the Irish lads not fight in WW1? I'm sure they did and I thought that the Poppy was worn as a remembrance of the horrors of war and for the reasons outlined in this thread. Why does the celtic supporting community feel that the poppy is offensive. I genuinely don't know.

[Nookie Bear]

McLean cites "the troubles" for his refusal to wear the emblem.

 

Up to him.

 

Are Hearts fans "rabid right wingers" for criticising him?

[Alex]

I realise that I'm over simplifying the discussion,  but If you take what the Poppy stands for back to the simplistic view of where the money goes when you buy a poppy from Poppy Scotland then:

 

"Poppyscotland supports current and former Servicemen and women from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, both regular and reserve, and members of the Merchant Navy who have served in a commercial vessel in support of UK military operations.  Importantly, we also support their families too.  Collectively we recognise them as the Armed Forces community and it is made up of around 530,000 people in Scotland.

We believe that those who serve in the Armed Forces, and their families, deserve special recognition and support.  The Armed Forces community is different from the civilian population because of the sacrifices they make, what they are asked to do, the lifestyle they live and the long term impact their service can have.  Poppyscotland exists to recognise their sacrifices, understand the challenges they face and provide a wide range of practical support to enable them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life."

 

When I was growing up, remembrance was very much about WW1 & WW2 but as the partner of someone who served for 25 years, I also think of those who have been lost/affected by more recent conflicts.

[st1874]

The wearing of poppies used to be about remembering the errors of the past, the folly of war, mourning a lost generation and a dignified, "never again" symbol.

 

Somewhere along the line, it got hijacked and is now seen as glorifying war and open-ended support for our continuing military misadventures overseas.

 

It has become a political statement, driven by the rabid right wing press who hounded and vilified any public figure not adorning themselves with a paper flower for a few days in November.

You read the Guardian and use phrases like 'white privilege'. Am I right? Left wing standard template really.

[ADAM]

McLean cites "the troubles" for his refusal to wear the emblem.

Surely the issue is that no one should ever have to explain their choice whether to wear or not wear a poppy.

 

Also, no employer should have the right to force their employees to wear a poppy. It can only be a matter of time before organisations like the BBC and football clubs are challenged in the courts for making it compulsory to wear one.

[iantjambo]

If people want to wear one fine. If people don't want to wear one fine. Don't have a go at people doing either though. That's my stance.

In a nutshell.

[Maroon Sailor]

It's still a big thing for current, ex service personnel and their families.

[Cade]

You read the Guardian and use phrases like 'white privilege'. Am I right? Left wing standard template really.

Thank you for proving my point so very well.

[Shooter McGavin]

People who are outraged at people for not wearing them are morons

[Mac_fae_Gillie]

wearimg a Poppy was about remembrance.

 

but during the last decade 2 unpopular wars made it about national pride for some.

and not wearing one was almost a sin, for a BBC news reporter to not one was a statement of near protest and the rise in migrantion and right wing politics such decent things as the Poppy have been highjacked.

 

Then the Poppy snobs are out in force many on this this site are huge offenders slanging of hibs or celtic for this and that as if the actions of 100 years ago make them more important..

 

Such a shame the Poppy has been used in such a way can see why some ex servicepeople don't wear it true issue lost on so many.

[st1874]

Thank you for proving my point so very well.

You're a walking stereotype no doubt.

 

How I can prove your point without mentioning poppies is probably a mystery outside the readership of the Socialist Worker.

[fabienleclerq]

I buy/donate and take a paper poppy evey year. I don't have an issue with people who don't but people like james mclean boil my blood, he never just made a point of not wearing one he was making a statement.

[Guest]

If people want to wear one fine. If people don't want to wear one fine. Don't have a go at people doing either though. That's my stance.

Very much this.

 

I agree with the comments that social media have contributed a lot to the perception of a 'furoar' around poppy wearing. Most people don't give a hoot as people understand it's a personal choice. Social media makes things very black in white, particularly when not.

 

The poppy is about rememberance and nothing else IMO. Issues of it suppprring the services or promoting war, imho, are a bullshit narrative created to make the poppy about something it's not one for a variety of reasons. I guess it is a symbol for what you want to make it.

 

Also found the comment about someone being annoyed they're are brochures on Poppy's to buy. I don't see the issue to be honest. Charities are about making money, it's why they exist. Like all businesses, which charities are, they will look to expand revenue streams. I don't think it's bad taste it's just the nature of charity. I think UNICEF are doing similar with leave money in your will to us. Just new revenue streams.

 

People who get wound up about wearing or not wearing poppies are the sort that are that unhappy in life that they're looking for stuff to get wound up by.

[Tams bird]

I don't care what other people do...

[Sharpie]

Wearing a poppy is something I feel very strongly about, but then I have very personal reasons for doing so. For me, as the mother of a serving soldier, it is not only a symbol of respect for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in various conflicts over the years, but a gesture of thanks that my son - at the age of 18 - returned safe and sound from a tour of Afghanistan, when many others did not. I have army mum friends whose sons either did not return at all, or suffered life-changing injuries, so my poppy (I have a brooch which I wear all year round in addition to the traditional Remembrance poppy) is my own small way of remembering them and how lucky I am not to be in their position. 

However, having said that, I do feel it is very much a matter of individual choice - wear one or don't wear one, it's up to you.

 

I have written responses three times and erased them as I was just not expressing myself properly. Interject I have served, where you have as a mother and you have put it in a succint way I was unable to do.

[Maple Leaf]

I have a poppy on display 365 days per year, either on an article of clothing, or inside my car.  I do it for a couple of reasons.

 

One, in memory of my dad who gave up 5 years of his young life to fight Fascism in North Africa and Southern Europe.

 

Two, when I left school and went to work, I had the privilege of working beside several men who were veterans of WWI.  Without exception, they were fine, honourable, and unassuming men, and it made me realise the enormity of the loss to our country that a million men, just like the ones I knew, never made it home to their families.  My poppy is a sign of respect for them.

 

All those men fought to preserves our rights and freedoms ... and that includes the right and freedom NOT to wear a poppy if a person so chooses.

[AlphonseCapone]

I unfriended a 'friend' on FB yesterday (He's a celtic supporter) as he 'liked' a republican post which had people stating 'stick yer poppy up yer arse' and 'It's a blood stained symbol' etc.

 

Really poisonous and I really don't understand what they connect the symbol with? Is it to do with the British Army in N.I. during the troubles or is it to do with the fight against Britain for a free Ireland back in the day or what?

 

Did the Irish lads not fight in WW1? I'm sure they did and I thought that the Poppy was worn as a remembrance of the horrors of war and for the reasons outlined in this thread. Why does the celtic supporting community feel that the poppy is offensive. I genuinely don't know.

I don't remember it always being a thing with them but maybe I'm wrong?

 

I think it ties in with how some people see it as being about more than the world wars now, and a general support of the British military, which is why folk like McClean don't wear it and cites his background.

[Daydream Believer]

I realise that I'm over simplifying the discussion,  but If you take what the Poppy stands for back to the simplistic view of where the money goes when you buy a poppy from Poppy Scotland then:

 

"Poppyscotland supports current and former Servicemen and women from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, both regular and reserve, and members of the Merchant Navy who have served in a commercial vessel in support of UK military operations.  Importantly, we also support their families too.  Collectively we recognise them as the Armed Forces community and it is made up of around 530,000 people in Scotland.

We believe that those who serve in the Armed Forces, and their families, deserve special recognition and support.  The Armed Forces community is different from the civilian population because of the sacrifices they make, what they are asked to do, the lifestyle they live and the long term impact their service can have.  Poppyscotland exists to recognise their sacrifices, understand the challenges they face and provide a wide range of practical support to enable them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life."

 

When I was growing up, remembrance was very much about WW1 & WW2 but as the partner of someone who served for 25 years, I also think of those who have been lost/affected by more recent conflicts.

 

That's a good reason for giving money (which I do) but the problems are not around whether anyone gives money or not but rather whether they wear a poppy. As RK said, I'd rather we provided the care veterans need long term (through taxation) rather than stick a quid in a box and wear a poppy once a year.

[Tazio]

It's gone ****ing mad now.

 

 

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[AlimOzturk]

As someone who plays the bagpipes at weddings, funeral, busking ect I often get asked why I don't wear a poppy. The public associate me with the army despite never serving. I have to explain that I don't wear it because I don't want to pierce holes through my expensive gear and the sticky ones fall off. I really want to tell them Feck off and mind their business but I am to Polite for That tbh

[Don Draper]

You're a walking stereotype no doubt.

 

How I can prove your point without mentioning poppies is probably a mystery outside the readership of the Socialist Worker.

 

You really showed him with that post.

[LeylandJambo]

I always wear buy a poppy I also put one on my truck. It's just something I always do.

[alwaysthereinspirit]

I always thought the Poppie was just a way of remembering/thanking British Servicemen/woman killed serving. Nothing more, nothing less. At least as a kid I did.

[Jambothump]

It's grown so large, it's dated.

 

Buy Jack Alexanders book and appreciate from that the sacrifice, not ?1, in a "bought for" collection tin ?

 

"bought for" someone might want to elaborate on that, just something I have been told, right enough, that person wears a white poppy ?

[fila]

Always wear one out of respect for the fallen soldiers . Its a personal choice, I do not get upset if people choose not to !

[Dusk_Till_Dawn]

I've always felt uncomfortable about the way the poppy is now used to commemorate things like Iraq and Afghanistan as well as WW1 and WW2.

 

This might sound unfair but to my mind there's a massive difference between professional soldiery and the death of god knows how many conscripts. The poppy should be used to remember the folly and the sacrifice of the two world wars, nothing else.

[Craigieboy]

I've always felt uncomfortable about the way the poppy is now used to commemorate things like Iraq and Afghanistan as well as WW1 and WW2.

 

This might sound unfair but to my mind there's a massive difference between professional soldiery and the death of god knows how many conscripts. The poppy should be used to remember the folly and the sacrifice of the two world wars, nothing else.

I agree with this.

 

Makes me feel uncomfortable.

[Fitzroy Pointon]

It's gone ******* mad now.

 

 

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Yip. WTF is Chris Tarrant still doing on the telly.

 

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[Arnold Rothstein]

I've always felt uncomfortable about the way the poppy is now used to commemorate things like Iraq and Afghanistan as well as WW1 and WW2.

 

This might sound unfair but to my mind there's a massive difference between professional soldiery and the death of god knows how many conscripts. The poppy should be used to remember the folly and the sacrifice of the two world wars, nothing else.

Absolutely bang on.