Remembrance Day

[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

[Archangel]

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

Yes, that's my understanding. Everything was done in the first few months. There they stayed until too many died and the governments decided to stop it. There was no military end, just an agreement to stop. What a waste, what reckless stupidity by those in authority.

[James]

Archangel-you are right-every war is a waste-a failure of diplomats-leaders!

However in view of such events as the sack of Louvain-and the invasion of Belgium-sometimes it is necessary to defy aggression and fight. As with Poland in 1939, and Korea in 1950.

As an ex soldier I also remember the ordinary soldiers of our foes-who themselves thought they were doing their duty for their country.

I'm antique enough to remember being taken out by my father to be shown a red glow in the sky, and be told it was 'London Burning'.

The need is not to forget, but to learn, and certainly not bear grudges-for they do no good at all.

James

[ByDand]

I was in Toronto last week and donated for the Poppy. I wear it on my lapel at home and have received many compliments on it. Many times I was asked where I got it. After I told them I got it in Toronto many asked why the local Veterans groups did not offer it. It seems to be a "thing of the past" here in Central PA. Kind of discouraging when you think of it. I wear mine for James Frank Inglis, a Scotsman who had not received his US citizenship when he inlisted and served with Company L, 112th Infantry, 28th Division out of Boalsburg, PA. He died in France during the war fighting for a country he believed in. He was my Grand Uncle and will not be forgotten.

[An t-Ileach]

I had a great uncle Charles who was at Ypres. By some miracle he actually survived the next four years of carnage. My grandfather, Hector, used to tell with difficulty what he saw at Passchendaele. My father landed at Anzio, and my mother's brother was at Monte Cassino. A cousin of hers was killed in Burma. My father-in-law was a PW in Java.

Remembrance Sunday was always a very sad occasion when I was a boy; all those people remembering what they'd been through and people they'd left behind. My grandfather used to quote Col McRae's poem to us, and I think the lines "...If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep,..." scared me so much, that when I grew up I joined the service in my turn.

I thank God that nobody has to cry for me on Nov 11.

[John M.]

It seems the poppy is still around in Ut.
Just heard an anoucement on the radio about the VA people selling poppies at the entances to many stores in the area for $1.00 ea.

I'll have to see if I can locate any when I get off work later.