Lillehamring Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 didn't this used to be a one day recognition... it seems that it has now started weeks before? is this because: a. people feel in some way obliged to wear a poppy. b. it is seen as 'cool' c. the charity has overstepped it's influence. i'm thinking more about what i have seen on the news channels, but i'm guessing it is also prevalent amongst normal everyday folk- has this 'remembrance' lost its real meaning now, should we even be remembering events that could be argued to now be 'ancient history', i know we are still 'making sacrifices', but the day marks an event 90 years ago? do we need to have a two/three week period of acknowledgement for such events...? DISCUSS.
Kilworthfox Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 didn't this used to be a one day recognition...it seems that it has now started weeks before? is this because: a. people feel in some way obliged to wear a poppy. b. it is seen as 'cool' c. the charity has overstepped it's influence. i'm thinking more about what i have seen on the news channels, but i'm guessing it is also prevalent amongst normal everyday folk- has this 'remembrance' lost its real meaning now, should we even be remembering events that could be argued to now be 'ancient history', i know we are still 'making sacrifices', but the day marks an event 90 years ago? do we need to have a two/three week period of acknowledgement for such events...? DISCUSS. As I am sure you are aware the poppy is not just a WW1 symbol of remembrance. I think that it is a very good influence on our society to remember the sacrifices given by others which give us country in which we live today. I understand the point you have made, about the day becoming a 2-3 week event, I agree with the comparison to Christmas which is just a money making scheme masquerading to be a religious truth. I believe that if the less well informed of our society (in general young chavs) looked at the actions and conditions of how people lived and died in service to this country, the poppy appeal is a day for the nation to take a look at itself and ask the question; Is the nation & it's people doing what they should with the opportunities they have in our country? Which have been given because of actions the poppy symbol represents.
davieG Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 Recently it kinda of makes me angry at the thought of all those people being killed and maimed for reasons I don't understand. In fact I think, sadly as it's it's truthful for me to say that anger overrides any thoughts I have for those that have actually suffered.
lou Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 I dont mind that its becoma a 2-3 week thing, I think the more people show their support for the armed forces, the better. Another 5 killed today. Im wearing my Poppy with pride and more sadness today.
Smudge Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 The remembrance of those killed in action is determined by the government and was started in 1919. The poppy appeal is the fund raising effort of the British Legion and as I remember, was always a two week affair. I found this interesting Poppy Appeal - How it all Started
Jon the Hat Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 Yeah, lets liken showing respect to people who died to give us our freedoms to the rise in the amount of tat retailers try and sell us at Christmas.
Houdini Logic Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 War is a sad fact of life and I often think that this country has always viewed war in the wrong way. I do understand that war is neccessary, but there's no way i'm going to spend a minute, let alone 3 weeks making a point of remembering it. I can see the reason why people want to remember, but it's not for me
lavrentis Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 War is a sad fact of life and I often think that this country has always viewed war in the wrong way.I do understand that war is neccessary, but there's no way i'm going to spend a minute, let alone 3 weeks making a point of remembering it. I can see the reason why people want to remember, but it's not for me Its not to remember war, its to remember the people who fought in them, who gave up their everyday lives to fight and people that lost their lives. This isn't remembering war ffs, or its not becoming a celebratory event like Christmas. We're remembering our ancestors, and hero's of the country that fought in them and who are fighting in current wars. Everyone should acknowledge that, even if you do not want to spend 1 minute remembering them.
Head Honcho Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 Maybe with having Children in Need so close to Rememberance Day they felt the need to extend the ampount of days they spend fundraising. At least all they ask for is your spare change......... .....................unlike Sir Terry Wogan who wants your credit card details!
Fosse Boy Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 My great-Grandad had his leg amputated due to bullet wounds sustained in World War 1. I wear a poppy for perhaps one week of the year to remember what him and countless less fortunate others went through in defence of their country, and (in WW2) in defeating one of the most evil regimes the world has ever known. If that makes me look like a trendy disabled who's only doing it because they feel they have to then I really couldn't give a stuff, our war dead deserve to be remembered.
Tilley Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 Its not to remember war, its to remember the people who fought in them, who gave up their everyday lives to fight and people that lost their lives. This isn't remembering war ffs, or its not becoming a celebratory event like Christmas. We're remembering our ancestors, and hero's of the country that fought in them and who are fighting in current wars. Everyone should acknowledge that, even if you do not want to spend 1 minute remembering them. Bang on Lav. I mean, I love my war films and documentaries anyway but always watch them non stop this time of year and make sure I am wearing a poppy from the 1st of November. Everyone should be silent on the 11th and remember with pride and sadness all the heroes that have lost their lives to keep the country free like it is today. They should never ever be forgotten. I will think about the men that fought in the trenches in WW1 all the way up to the people who are fighting the war on terror to this day.
Fosse Boy Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 Bang on Lav.I mean, I love my war films and documentaries anyway but always watch them non stop this time of year and make sure I am wearing a poppy from the 1st of November. Everyone should be silent on the 11th and remember with pride and sadness all the heroes that have lost their lives to keep the country free like it is today. They should never ever be forgotten. I will think about the men that fought in the trenches in WW1 all the way up to the people who are fighting the war on terror to this day. Back at my old school they didn't even bother observing the silence because it cut in to students' break time. What's spending two minutes of your year in reflection compared to the horrors that those in the trenches witnessed? Unbelievable, especially given that there's a memorial to former pupils who died in the wars on school grounds too.
Dr The Singh Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 I have no problems for any charity asking for a few pennies and whatever you can spare but these days it's all about £££'s and paying through cards etc. And how much of that pound actually is admin and how much actually gets through to good causes???? Having been to the pooonjab and seen aid from oxfam, and various charities been sold on the market, alot of it seems a waste of money!! I think remembrance day or the 3 week event is fine, the kids give a few pennies and wear a badge, they see something physical and ask why do we wear that badge etc. War can be tragic and remembering those that sacrificed themselves for the good, can only be a good thing!!
Lillehamring Posted 4 November 2009 Author Posted 4 November 2009 Yeah, lets liken showing respect to people who died to give us our freedoms to the rise in the amount of tat retailers try and sell us at Christmas. i didn't liken it to xmas in that respect, but in the fact that, too me, it seems to have sprawled into something excessive and thus no longer seems to have the impact or solemnity of a minutes silence on the day of the armistice. the significance of that simple moment in time, to me was representative of peace and rememberance of the innocent lives lost. now, it almost feels like, and as i implied in my original post, particularly in the media, as tho people feel obliged to wear one; trendy was the wrong word, what i was trying to suggest was that it feels like people think they will be thought as heartless or imappropriate NOT wearing one. i applaud the charity element but, as the years move on their role will ineviatbly become less and less significant due to casualties of modern war being nothing like that of the 1st and 2nd world wars - i've no doubt there are many people on here who have a charitable concern close to their heart that doesn't get 3 weeks of wholesale media support each year, that help and support many more people than the british legion. i'm not against the poppy, although if i were to wear a poppy, i would elect for a white on - but i think the sanctity of rememberance has been lost by watering it down over such a long period, much like xmas. anyway, a lot of interesting opinions
Fosse Boy Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 i applaud the charity element but, as the years move on their role will ineviatbly become less and less significant due to casualties of modern war being nothing like that of the 1st and 2nd world wars - i've no doubt there are many people on here who have a charitable concern close to their heart that doesn't get 3 weeks of wholesale media support each year, that help and support many more people than the british legion. But surely the fact that this charity is so well supported is down to the fact that most people in this country will have friends, relatives or ancestors who were casualties of one of the wars? It has such a universal appeal that it attracts more attention than other charities may do.
Lillehamring Posted 4 November 2009 Author Posted 4 November 2009 But surely the fact that this charity is so well supported is down to the fact that most people in this country will have friends, relatives or ancestors who were casualties of one of the wars? It has such a universal appeal that it attracts more attention than other charities may do. maybe fifty years ago, but now? not so sure - i mean it was initially set up 90 years ago, there can't be many military survivors/wives of from the 1st world war, and an ever dwindling number from the 2nd. i used to wear a poppy, but have no known relatives or antecedants, but it was just accepted that it was something one did each year, but as a rule i would wear on armistice day, not for two weeks or more. and one has to question the validity of a charity for the decendants of war victims of 90 or evn 60 years ago. don't get me wrong, what they do is valid but i feel the importance and scope of the fundraising event seems to have taken over from the original, simple gesture of rememberance
davieG Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 maybe fifty years ago, but now? not so sure - i mean it was initially set up 90 years ago, there can't be many military survivors/wives of from the 1st world war, and an ever dwindling number from the 2nd.i used to wear a poppy, but have no known relatives or antecedants, but it was just accepted that it was something one did each year, but as a rule i would wear on armistice day, not for two weeks or more. and one has to question the validity of a charity for the decendants of war victims of 90 or evn 60 years ago. don't get me wrong, what they do is valid but i feel the importance and scope of the fundraising event seems to have taken over from the original, simple gesture of rememberance One could even question why we have to resort to fund raising for those that have been maimed or left without a parent as a result of fighting for their country - surely the government that sent them to fight should ensure a decent standard of living and adapted lifestyle in return, but then we're not even providing them with the tools to defend themselves in the first place.
Webbo Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 One could even question why we have to resort to fund raising for those that have been maimed or left without a parent as a result of fighting for their country - surely the government that sent them to fight should ensure a decent standard of living and adapted lifestyle in return, but then we're not even providing them with the tools to defend themselves in the first place. Tbf the govt does cover the medical bills through the NHS and it pays a pension to ex-servicemen. If servicemen are struggling on their money they can claim benefits same as everybody else. Surely it doesn't hurt for the general public to put their hands into their pockets once a year to show their appreciation.
davieG Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 Tbf the govt does cover the medical bills through the NHS and it pays a pension to ex-servicemen. If servicemen are struggling on their money they can claim benefits same as everybody else.Surely it doesn't hurt for the general public to put their hands into their pockets once a year to show their appreciation. No it doesn't but there are so many causes now crying out for money mostly to prevent people dying and it is becoming increasingly more difficult to contribute to them all and if you decide against one in favour of another it can result in you receiving some very unappetising looks.
Webbo Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 No it doesn't but there are so many causes now crying out for money mostly to prevent people dying and it is becoming increasingly more difficult to contribute to them all and if you decide against one in favour of another it can result in you receiving some very unappetising looks. If I've got some coins in my pocket I'll give money to anyone who rattles a tin. The thing that annoys me is when they want a weekly direct debit, in which case I don't care how anyone looks at me they can fook off.
Thracian Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 I wonder if that teacher on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" will contribute? She didn't even know which country the Battle of Arnhem was fought in. Or, for that matter, what a tree-creeper was. Inspiring I must say.
AmericanScott Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 How can showing respect to those who have lost their lives fighting for our country and those currently serving our armed forces be compared to fooking Christmas. Get a grip.
Daggers Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 I wear a poppy just to be trendy. I can't wait to see what Father Poppy has got me for my Poppy Day present this year.
DB11 Posted 4 November 2009 Posted 4 November 2009 I've not seen anything about it so I can't agree that people are talking and going on about it much before the actual even
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