I actually bought TWO poppy’s. Well, I got THOSE for free but gave $5.00 towards one of those pins with the backing on it so the poppy wouldn’t prick my five year old. Of course, mine was lost within 24 hours but my little girl proudly wears hers. It was a great opportunity for me to explain to her why we wear them and how our country is one of the safest in the world. My grandfather fought for six years in Italy, during the second world war…a driver/machanic who saw way too many blown to bits in front of his eyes as the enemy regularly bombed their supply chain. I choose to remember his sacrifice and know he was haunted with these images and had nightmares until he died at 89 years of age. He was be ashamed that anyone would be fighting about whether or not to wear poppy’s. That is silly but I guess when you’ve never had to deal with really serious shit, like he did on the positive side, it’s great that we can have such a great life that for some, that might be the biggest issue they have in their day! Let’s all be thankful, at least, for that. R.I.P Papa!! I won’t forget what you did for us!
This article appears in Nov 6-12, 2008.
Well said. Our little whinings and bitchings are irrelevent in comparison to what our veterans saw overseas. We should be grateful that with a few exceptions, these Bitches and irritations in our lives are pretty much the worst we’ll ever see , Everyone- whether you wear a poppy or not , take a moment this November 11 to remember and reflect what freedoms others have fought for for you.