It's that time of year again...

**English Bloke** · 19th October 11, 10:31 AM

It's coming around to that time of year where we make the effort to remember the men and women, past and present in our various Armed Forces and quite a few countries observe November as their time to reflect.

This year (as you are probably aware) is the 93rd anniversary of the First World War Armistice. The emphasis will be on the 11-11-11-11. As in, 11am on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, 2011. (It's never happened before and won't again for a hundred years).

If you, like me take an interest in remembering, you may wish to accessorise your Kilt (or bonnet or jacket lapel) with some "poppy" related article or protect yourself from the remembrance parade rain with a big poppy brolly.

All these things and more are available from the Royal British Legion Poppy Shop website (clickety click)

Often around now, there are questions posed on here asking about poppies and poppy stuff and how to get hold of them so I just thought I'd let you know. The RBL are a very worthy charity too, I encourage you to support them.

**theborderer** · 19th October 11, 11:56 AM

Have already placed my order. Having had mates of mine never return.

**Laird_M** · 19th October 11, 12:08 PM

Yes, it is and I'm going to feel it real bad this year!

Aside from being the 20th out of the Army, its also the 5th anniversary of the passing of my old CO and his lovely lady wife.

I may be reading the Prayer for the Fallen on behalf of our scouts, which despite being a supreme honour, may make it even more difficult to get through it.

I just hope I can get my old uniform on.

I didn't realise there were two organisations so will have to investigate getting something from both...
http://www.legionshop.co.uk/

**zirrow** · 20th October 11, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Laird_M

I didn't realise there were two organisations so will have to investigate getting something from both...
http://www.legionshop.co.uk/

they do not appear to ship outside the UK. The shop English Bloke will for £6.50 though.

**Kilted Magyar** · 20th October 11, 01:56 PM

There was a time, here in the US, when ladies & gentlemen wore a "Buddy Poppy" to commemorate 11/11. I haven't noticed this display lately. I wonder if we have forgotten. If we have, I am ashamed for my countrymen.

**macwilkin** · 20th October 11, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Kilted Magyar

There was a time, here in the US, when ladies & gentlemen wore a "Buddy Poppy" to commemorate 11/11. I haven't noticed this display lately. I wonder if we have forgotten. If we have, I am ashamed for my countrymen.

I proudly wear a poppy from the Returned Services League of Australia (given to me by a dear friend who is ex-Royal Australian Navy) on Remembrance Day, and I am also an American citizen. I sympathise, but some of us do remember. In fact, my job for 10 years was to remember 537 Americans who gave their lives at a National Battlefield.

T.

**cruiser348** · 20th October 11, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Kilted Magyar

There was a time, here in the US, when ladies & gentlemen wore a "Buddy Poppy" to commemorate 11/11. I haven't noticed this display lately. I wonder if we have forgotten. If we have, I am ashamed for my countrymen.

I typically see poppies on Memorial Day in the US more often than on 11/11. I had a poppy brooch that was given to me by my mother. However, somewhere in the craziness following my divorce and the couple moves that followed it has gotten lost. Just need to get a new one, but I haven't found one that I like as well. Probably need to see what the VFW has to offer because even if I eventually replace it when I find what I want atleast I will have helped a good organization in the meantime.

**fluter** · 21st October 11, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Kilted Magyar

There was a time, here in the US, when ladies & gentlemen wore a "Buddy Poppy" to commemorate 11/11. I haven't noticed this display lately. I wonder if we have forgotten. If we have, I am ashamed for my countrymen.

Find a local VFW or Auxiliary member for the authentic paper flower, or see http://www.vfwstore.org/ for a brooch or lapel pin.

**piperchris** · 24th October 11, 09:22 AM

At this time of year I always think of the huge sacrifices that the brave men of the armed forces have made. Heroes, nearly to a man. I think of my two grandfathers, Clyde. W. Daugherty, a soldier in the U.S. Army from 1920 to 1947 and his tour included heavy combat in the Pacific in WWII, and Albert F. Rassmuss another U.S. Army soldier who saw heavy combat in WWI in France and Belgium from 1917-1920 starting at the tender age of 17.