I do not want to upset anyone but as we draw near to Rememberance Day I just wanted to share my feelings on the poppies we wear. I wrote this back in 2018.
There are more than one, these days, the red to remember the dead, the white for peace. The white to remember the conscientious objector. During WW1 and WW2 many thought these men were cowards. I do feel they were brave, enough to stand up for their beliefs. Many were tried and shot for not taking up arms. Many spent the war as medics and stretcher bearers unarmed or in the mines though of course not all wartime miners were objctors.
What ever you think, the wars killed them irrespective of their principles. I respect the Red and the White.
The Red and the White.
Why
Argue
Both were brave
Each had their own
Principles to up
Hold. Neither less than bold.
One would carry a weapon
The other a stretcher, no gun
Both men died for their own held beliefs
They were both lost and that loss brought much grief.
———
Then there is the Purple Poppy in remembrance of all the animals who died in service during conflicts and serve with us still in modern conflicts.
They pulled the gun carriages until they dropped
They carried messages and they got shot.
They search out the unexploded mines
They save lives a thousand times.
Spare a thought for the horse, pigeon, donkey dog and many more
Remember them, they all help us in times of war
Nov 07, 2020 @ 11:49:14
Why would anyone be offended by your hommage to all who were killed by the war?
Nov 07, 2020 @ 12:19:03
Some people still get funny about the White Poppies Jane 💜
Nov 07, 2020 @ 13:43:50
I’d never even heard of white poppies. Are they a new invention? You mean there are people alive now who judge the conscientious objectors who were killed in WWI?
Nov 07, 2020 @ 14:46:33
Not really new White poppies were developed in 1933 by the Co-operative Women’s Guild to reaffirm this message. Many of the activities around Remembrance Day are detached from any meaningful attempt to learn the lessons of war. And yes many do still scorn the white poppies and what they stand for 💜
Nov 07, 2020 @ 15:28:39
I had never seen one! I know there was always a shame around the mutineers who were shot, or those shot for ‘cowardice’. Anyone who still thinks of men who refused to charge into hell as cowards is pretty scummy. Something is whispering to me, I bet Nigel Farage does.
Nov 07, 2020 @ 15:42:01
He probably might, and lot of the older generation, over eighties. Not all but some. It’s very sad 💜
Nov 07, 2020 @ 16:00:20
It is, but the harshest judges are often those who never did a good thing in their lives.
Nov 07, 2020 @ 16:10:03
Yes indeed you are right 💜
Nov 07, 2020 @ 16:18:51
There are some very bitter human beings in the world.
Nov 07, 2020 @ 16:30:38
That’s sadly the case 💜
Nov 07, 2020 @ 18:52:11
😦
Nov 07, 2020 @ 12:39:36
Nice remembrance of all those who died, both red and white, Someone who acts as a medic is still part of the defensive war effort.
Nov 07, 2020 @ 12:52:20
Oh! Indeed💜
Nov 07, 2020 @ 13:41:35
💜💜💜
Nov 07, 2020 @ 13:53:20
💜💜
Nov 07, 2020 @ 14:10:07
Never heard of white poppies, but totally support the concept. When an individual is not allowed to follow their own core beliefs, then not only is their freedom compromised, but so is the basis for democracy. There is a system available for anybody who wants to be told what to do and when … it’s called a dictatorship.
Nov 07, 2020 @ 14:44:47
Very true.
White poppies were developed in 1933 by the Co-operative Women’s Guild to reaffirm this message. Many of the activities around Remembrance Day are detached from any meaningful attempt to learn the lessons of war.
Nov 07, 2020 @ 16:20:14
Our history would suggest that we are never going to learn. As long as there are “Trumps” in positions of power, then divisive politics; nationalistic BS, and self-serving philosophies will negate any attempt at compassion, understanding and a more even standard of living for everybody, but … where there is life, there is hope!
Nov 07, 2020 @ 16:29:35
Oh! Yes I agree, it looks like trump’s race is run let’s hope Biden will be better…heaven help us all. 💜
Nov 07, 2020 @ 16:07:50
In the US, the American Legion used to make paper poppies and give them out for free and we used to give donations and wear them proudly. A few years ago there were still veterans sitting outside shops, giving poppies to anyone. I miss this tradition.
Nov 07, 2020 @ 16:11:39
This is the first year we have not seen Poppies being sold, due to Covid19.
Nov 07, 2020 @ 18:42:12
You are such a kind soul, Willow.
I was thinking about poppies today. There’s still a bit of a thing about them in Ireland but my mother always wore one to honour her beloved double first cousin who was killed in WW2.
I follow her lead and have huge respect for all who were caught up in those terrible times, including the poor animals.
Nov 07, 2020 @ 20:58:45
It’s a terribly sad thing war, I am going to try and post a rememberance post up til Wednesday. We should never forget. 💜
Nov 08, 2020 @ 11:35:52
Never, ever ….💙💙
Nov 08, 2020 @ 11:10:37
Thank you for reading 💜
Nov 08, 2020 @ 12:08:50
My pleasure always, my dear friend.
Nov 08, 2020 @ 12:12:23
💜💜
Nov 07, 2020 @ 21:45:50
We shall be up there tomorrow paying our respects and wearing our poppies with pride. There will be no parade or service, but nobody can stop anyone going to the Memorial.
Nov 07, 2020 @ 22:24:40
God bless you we will too 💜
Nov 07, 2020 @ 22:49:06
Reblogged this on pensitivity101 and commented:
Two lovely poems from a lovely blogger. I only learned of the purple poppies a few years ago.
There will be no parade or service in our town tomorrow, but Hubby and I will be up at the Memorial paying our respects, and I have no doubt that we will not be the only ones.
We must not forget.
Thanks Willow for posting this.
Nov 08, 2020 @ 07:11:51
Thank you Di for the reblog, no we must never forget 💜
Nov 08, 2020 @ 00:05:55
I always wear my poppy in November.
I never heard of the white poppy so thank you for that.
Nov 08, 2020 @ 07:10:27
Thank you for reading Dale. They also served and some were treated so badly enprisoned or shot for their beliefs. 💜
Nov 08, 2020 @ 15:12:47
An ugly side story to war
Nov 08, 2020 @ 15:30:33
Yes Dale indeed 💜
Nov 08, 2020 @ 08:12:13
Spot on v timely
Nov 08, 2020 @ 08:54:53
Thank you Geoff💜
Nov 08, 2020 @ 12:30:51
Reblogged this on johncoyote and commented:
Wonderful words and thoughts shared.
Nov 08, 2020 @ 12:50:34
Thank you so much for the reblog 💜
Nov 08, 2020 @ 14:51:26
You are welcome my dear friend.
Nov 08, 2020 @ 15:31:28
Thank you anyway 💜
Nov 08, 2020 @ 12:32:01
I agree my friend. To stand with the soldiers gun-less and save life. You were brave.
Nov 08, 2020 @ 12:51:44
Thank you John , they were so brave 💜
Nov 08, 2020 @ 14:50:56
I agree my friend.
Nov 08, 2020 @ 15:47:24
A wonderful post Willow. I think anyone who may object has no idea of the horrors of war and the need for everyone to contribute in any way they can.
Nov 08, 2020 @ 16:08:09
I agree Peter we who have never been in war zones, sorry you may of , but I have not. Can have no idea at all how awful it is 💜
Nov 08, 2020 @ 17:29:48
I served for over 28 years!
Nov 08, 2020 @ 16:47:22
Thank you so much Peter. So did my brother and he cried when he told me when he sent our lads out with substandard gear to the desert war. He told all the lads to go to the Americas and get proper gear! 💜
Nov 08, 2020 @ 20:50:12
That was brought about by selling procurement to the private sector and insisting on developing our own weapons and protective gear rather than buying existing ones that were far better and cheaper.
Nov 08, 2020 @ 21:45:47
I meant to say he told them to go to the American camps and get decent gear. You are right that was a bad time.
Nov 09, 2020 @ 13:14:05
Two thoughts: One, in today’s world of the rise of gun-toting new nazis threatening those they see as being different, the meaning of poppies is more relevant than ever. Second, our newspaper published a rather large section on The Wars and the soldiers. In Canada, it seems that the returning soldiers decided that instead of putting up more statues to glorify the battles, they wanted “memorial” hospitals and arenas, etc. built. And I wonder whether this laid the groundwork for later anti-war protestors. That narrative around the “rightness” of war has been slowly changing.
Nov 09, 2020 @ 14:48:16
Yes it has but so far war is a prevelent as ever. Thank you for reading and sharing your views 💜
Nov 09, 2020 @ 20:35:06
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
Nov 09, 2020 @ 20:44:55
Thank you so much 💜
Nov 09, 2020 @ 20:52:59
Thank you very much 💜