Remembrance Day

[davedove]

I was told that in many parts of Europe, the poppy is an opportunistic plant that is one of the first plants to spring up in freshly turned earth, like in a newly plowed field, or in its association with war, a freshly dug grave. So when someone saw a new field covered with poppies, it was often a field of fallen soldiers.

My respect and thanks to all who have made the sacrifices for us, from all countries.

[cormacmacguardhe]

I was wondering if the veterans groups in this country still do the poppy on veterans day. I was out shopping today, and saw three people wearing the poppies, they were all Canadians. When I asked them where the got them they told me they got them in Canada. It seems that some in this country have forgotten. I am not a veteran, but I do not know how one could forget those who made such sacrifices, both in time and energy, let alone those who made the ultimate sacrifice. My family has had many who served this country since the Revolutionary War, my Great-grandfather was at Gettysburg, he was with the 5th New York Cavalry, one uncle served in the Navy during WWI, another was in the Army during WWII, he was in the army of occupation in Japan. My brother was in Korea serving in the Marines. We need not to forget these men and women.

[macwilkin]

I was wondering if the veterans groups in this country still do the poppy on veterans day. I was out shopping today, and saw three people wearing the poppies, they were all Canadians. When I asked them where the got them they told me they got them in Canada. It seems that some in this country have forgotten. I am not a veteran, but I do not know how one could forget those who made such sacrifices, both in time and energy, let alone those who made the ultimate sacrifice. My family has had many who served this country since the Revolutionary War, my Great-grandfather was at Gettysburg, he was with the 5th New York Cavalry, one uncle served in the Navy during WWI, another was in the Army during WWII, he was in the army of occupation in Japan. My brother was in Korea serving in the Marines. We need not to forget these men and women.

The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) still distributes poppies, but they are usually made of a synthetic material with a plastic stem and are hard to wear in a button hole or anywhere else. I've also seen blue poppies made by the American Legion -- both do go to a good cause, however, and I'm always happy to give whatever I can to help.

Several years ago a friend of mine in Australia sent me a metal lapel badge that is sold by the Australian RSL (Returned Services League) for Remembrance & ANZAC Day. I will be wearing it tomorrow. You might also check with the Canadian Legion and see if they have any metal poppy badges.

Cheers,

Todd

[Archangel]

When I became a Canadian citizen this past August, I was given a beautiful pin formed from a maple leaf and a poppy. I wear it proudly on my kilt. I guess it can be ordered from the feds and is approved to be worn on most uniforms: mounties, cadets, armed forces, etc.

[Shane]

This year is the year of the veteran in Canada. That pin was designed to commemerate that fact. The pin can (must) be worn by those in uniform for this year only. After that it is just a really nice keepsake.

Shane

[Riverkilt]

Will be marching in our little town's Veteran's Day parade tomorrow at 1100. And yes, our little local VFW still is big on poppies.

My father, a Montana boy, enlisted in the Royal Air Force and after British Refresher School in California shipped out to war from Halifax, N.S. to Scotland. Will be marching wearing a replica of his RAF Flying Sergeant's battle jacket with the U.S.A shoulder flashes.

Tricky part will be figuring the kilt. Right now I'm torn between my PK desert MARPAT and my Kathy's Kilts hand sewn. Suspect the later since its high wasted and the RAF jacket is cut short for the old high waisted War 2 pants.

Ron

[James]

When remembering Armistice Day, it is worth remembering too November 1914, when the Belgians, French and British stopped the 'race to the sea' at the first Battle of Ypres, when they defeated the German's last efforts of the year. When as many historians think, the war was actually won, though it dragged on for another four years: for after First Ypres there was never a realistic chance of a German victory, and they spent much of the rst of the war on the defensive on the Western Front.

That battle was the graveyard of the old British Regular Army.

James