What Is A Veteran???

[redforever]

I hope that everyone will find the time to read this blog sometime during this Rememberance Day weekend. The last paragraph is particularily poignant.

Please wear your red poppies to honor our veterans.

http://www.am770chqr.com/station/blog_calgary_today.cfm

[CaptainCrunch]

Red Poppies . . . not white please

[Devils'Advocate]

I don't get the outrage against the white poppies. You attend the services and the veterans speak about the brave soldiers who fought at their sides and did not return. They speak about the horrible conditions that these men had to endure, many never to return, so this could be a free land. And they speak of hope that we never have to face such times again. It is for the former statements that I wear the red poppy and the latter for which I wear the white. Maybe I'm missing something.

[Agamemnon]

Red/White poppies have different messages, and the money goes to different places. You're not better/worse of a person depending on which organization/poppy you choose to support. Charitable/non-profit donations are up to each person, I don't see the point in deriding one for the benefit of another. If you wear a white poppy it doesn't mean you hate/don't support veterans, and if you wear a red one it doesn't mean you're pro-war/anti-pacifism. Jeez.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Red Poppies...not white please

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I don't get the outrage against the white poppies. You attend the services and the veterans speak about the brave soldiers who fought at their sides and did not return. They speak about the horrible conditions that these men had to endure, many never to return, so this could be a free land. And they speak of hope that we never have to face such times again. It is for the former statements that I wear the red poppy and the latter for which I wear the white. Maybe I'm missing something.

Wear the white poppy if you want - just not at this time of the year.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I don't get the outrage against the white poppies. You attend the services and the veterans speak about the brave soldiers who fought at their sides and did not return. They speak about the horrible conditions that these men had to endure, many never to return, so this could be a free land. And they speak of hope that we never have to face such times again. It is for the former statements that I wear the red poppy and the latter for which I wear the white. Maybe I'm missing something.

Well could it be that the funds from the Red Poppies go to the veterns who fought in the wars. Could it be that it is a way of saying thankyou that is nearly a century old and one which has been instilled in myself since I was a very small child. Could it be the simple reason that the poppy is used to signify the graves of all those men who did not return home, those men whose final resting place is in another country - a country they helped liberate from oppression. Until you can prove that white poppies filled the fields in Flanders I will be insulted by someone who wears one - not for myself but for those not given the opportunity to be present to see the white poppy.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

Well could it be that the funds from the Red Poppies go to the veterns who fought in the wars. Could it be that it is a way of saying thankyou that is nearly a century old and one which has been instilled in myself since I was a very small child. Could it be the simple reason that the poppy is used to signify the graves of all those men who did not return home, those men whose final resting place is in another country - a country they helped liberate from oppression. Until you can prove that white poppies filled the fields in Flanders I will be insulted by someone who wears one - not for myself but for those not given the opportunity to be present to see the white poppy.

I bought a red poppy. I think anyone who is 'insulted' that someone would wear a white poppy is waay too sensitive about other people's personal choice of charities. You want to buy a red one, remember the fallen soldiers, and donate to veterans? Bully for you, I do too. Not everyone has to be like you and me or have the same charitable priorities. Different strokes for different folks.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Wear the white poppy if you want - just not at this time of the year.

This is the time of year they're sold. They were created in the 1920's around Remembrance Day. Its not a coincidence they both come out at the same time.

[CaptainCrunch]

The white poppy too me steals from the real reason for rememberance day, which is to remember the loss and sacrifices that these veteran's went through to secure the peace. If they want to make a symbol of the white poppy then wear it on November 21st.

The red symbolizes the blood shed by young men, in an effort to fight for the freedoms that we enjoy now.

However the thing that really gets my goat is that the funds from the sales of Red Poppies actually goes to assist veterans.

The store in Edmonton for example thats selling them uses the funds to support his stores activism in the community

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...tory/National/

Mr. Kalmanovitch, who has owned Earth's General Store in Edmonton since it opened in 1991 and has been selling white poppies for the past three years, said he has been contacted by a Legion official. However, he won't consider ceasing white poppy sales until he's officially been notified by the Peace Pledge Union, a British organization that took over from the Women's Co-Operative Guild to distribute the white poppies worldwide.
Mr. Kalmanovitch's shop, which offers environmentally and socially friendly products, has been selling the poppies for $2 apiece, with the proceeds used to fund the store's “activism” efforts around the city. Most customers, he added, are supportive of the white poppy drive. The shop sold the last of its 200 poppies yesterday and has ordered more.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

This is the time of year they're sold. They were created in the 1920's around Remembrance Day. Its not a coincidence they both come out at the same time.

Well then they shouldn't sell them at this time of year. If they want to use the white poppies to make their point - fine - but taking the attention away from our veterans doesn't sit well with me.

[habernac]

back on topic....

A veteran is a smiling bald man who never said a bad word about anyone. He raised a wonderful family, told tales of battle and bravery to his grandsons. He taught me to play pool and we watched baseball together. He is the kindest man I have ever known. You've been gone for 4 years now, we're so proud of what you accomplished in your life. I miss you, grandpa.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by habernac

back on topic....

A veteran is a smiling bald man who never said a bad word about anyone. He raised a wonderful family, told tales of battle and bravery to his grandsons. He taught me to play pool and we watched baseball together. He is the kindest man I have ever known. You've been gone for 4 years now, we're so proud of what you accomplished in your life. I miss you, grandpa.

He sounds like a good man, what war was he a veteran of if you don't mind me asking.

[habernac]

He was a pilot (Flight Lieutenant) in WW2. Bombed U Boats in a Wellington (also known as a Wimpy).

[redforever]

Originally Posted by habernac

back on topic....

A veteran is a smiling bald man who never said a bad word about anyone. He raised a wonderful family, told tales of battle and bravery to his grandsons. He taught me to play pool and we watched baseball together. He is the kindest man I have ever known. You've been gone for 4 years now, we're so proud of what you accomplished in your life. I miss you, grandpa.

He is looking down proud on you right now. And I suspect you value family as well, judging by the adorable baby picture you have posted.

[Red Mile Style]

Originally Posted by habernac

back on topic....

A veteran is a smiling bald man who never said a bad word about anyone. He raised a wonderful family, told tales of battle and bravery to his grandsons. He taught me to play pool and we watched baseball together. He is the kindest man I have ever known. You've been gone for 4 years now, we're so proud of what you accomplished in your life. I miss you, grandpa.

Thank you for sharing your story habernac.

It always makes me feel better when someone has this kind of respect for veterans/their Grandpa, much like myself.

I have never missed a November 11th with my Grandpa. When I was living in Calgary, I made the trek home every year to Regina to see him march in the parade. I flew to Regina yesturday, and am driving two hours tomorrow to spend the day with him (and he doesn't know this yet! ). This will be the first year he will not be marching in the parade, as his body can barely support him anymore. I dread the first Remembrance day without him. So, I sympathize with you dearly.

My Grandpa never much talks about battle, although as a kid I remember his Legion buddies would come over to my Grandparent's house and drink rum while talking about their experiences every November 11th. Every year the number decreased until one year, my Grandpa was the only one left in his group - I can't imagine what it feels like to live through all your friends dying. I believe their stories helped mold me into the person I am today, and my firm anti-war beliefs. My Grandpa, much like yours habernac, is such a brave man. He stormed the shores of Normandy, was one of only two soldiers in his troop to survive a particular battle, yet he always said that the saddest thing he saw during the war was watching these two children hiding behind a door, looking out with their eyes wide with fear. My Grandpa was barely not a child himself when he went over-seas.

My Grandparents met after my Grandpa got home from the war, and married three months later. Last month, they just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. It is obvious that they still are in love, and I can only hope I experience what they have now when I'm their age. Their humbleness always reminds me of where I come from and who I am.

My heart goes out to you habernac, and anyone who is feeling the effects of a loss this time of year. It helps me make the most of the time we have left together.

Lest we forget.

[Blue]

Well I buy a Red poppie here in the states every year and wear it proudly. I talked to the sweetest WWII vet last year who was selling them. He just wanted to talk about his memories to someone who would listen. I could have spent hours with him, just telling stories. God Bless them all.

[Displaced Flames fan]

My mom's Dad passed when I was 14. He was in the Army during WII spending most of those days in North Africa and the Middle East. Two years ago for Christmas my Mom gave me a little box with a bunch of stuff of his from that time. I have a great panoramic photo of his unit at I believe Fort Oard in California prior to their deployment. Also have some letters he wrote to my Grandma, some Iraqi money and a letter he wrote to me when I was a baby.

My Dad's dad joined the Marines before he was 18. He was shot in Okinawa by a Japanese sniper. The man stole his watch a while later as my Grandpa played dead. He was left in the field for two days because the medics didnt' think he would survive. Finally they picked him up and he recovered. He's a lucky man, and I guess so am I because I wouldn't be here if he hadn't made it.

My Dad joined the Army shortly after he and my mom were married in 1968. He is a green beret and graduated first in his class in jump school. That earned him a personal hand shake from 5-star general Omar Bradley which Dad counts as one of the best moments of his life. I remember getting to watch him jump when he was in the National Guard in the late 70's. That service earned him a tour of duty at the Montana State Penitentery in Deer Lodge during a particularly nasty guard strike...which reminds us of the other peacetime work that veterans have done for us all. I often reflect on how lucky I am that my Dad never went to Vietnam. He was active from 68-76. I lot of kids my age lost their fathers there before they ever knew them. I'd be lost without my Dad.

[Blue]

Your Dad and your Grandfather are owed a big 'Thank you' from all of us.

[Rejean31]

Just a reminder to everyone who can, put your red poppy on and get out to your local Rememberance Day Service.