Wear a poppy

[Max Cow Disease]

I was confronted in the airport up in Edmonton last year with my poppy on, a few days after Remembrance Day, by someone claiming that you're not supposed to don the thing after November 11th, as it's -in the most formal terms- to be placed upon an epitaph on the 11th and not worn thereafter.

Has anyone else heard of this? I removed the bloody thing because I figured I may have unknowingly been partaking in some disrespectful taboo, but no one I spoke with afterwards was aware of such a thing either. I try to keep it on display for the majority of November, if I can.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Max Cow Disease

I was confronted in the airport up in Edmonton last year with my poppy on, a few days after Remembrance Day, by someone claiming that you're not supposed to don the thing after November 11th, as it's -in the most formal terms- to be placed upon an epitaph on the 11th and not worn thereafter.

Has anyone else heard of this? I removed the bloody thing because I figured I may have unknowingly been partaking in some disrespectful taboo, but no one I spoke with afterwards was aware of such a thing either. I try to keep it on display for the majority of November, if I can.

After the armistice time you remove the poppy and place it on a epitaph. Its not often taught to people but that's the tradition.

[OffsideSpecialist]

I've placed mine on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier since I moved to Ottawa. I've missed most of the ceremony each year before this due to class, but with it being on a Sunday this year, I should be able to catch the entire thing. Hardly any Ongoing Photo Thread worthy photos, but here are a couple that I took with my phone last year. Really though, I find it to be quite an emotional experience each year that I can't sum up in these photos.

Spoiler!

[Alberta_Beef]

I appreciate everything the older Vets did to preserve our freedom, but I never wear a poppy because I do not feel the same about the younger Vets as I don't feel any of the wars fought after WW2 were for the right reasons (although that is more politicians fault than the soldiers).

[saskflames69]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I appreciate everything the older Vets did to preserve our freedom, but I never wear a poppy because I do not feel the same about the younger Vets as I don't feel any of the wars fought after WW2 were for the right reasons (although that is more politicians fault than the soldiers).

The war in Afghanistan is questionable, yes, but these guys are there to prevent more terrorist attacks from occurring on our home soil. Keep that in mind the next time you're given the chance to support the vets.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by saskflames69

The war in Afghanistan is questionable, yes, but these guys are there to prevent more terrorist attacks from occurring on our home soil. Keep that in mind the next time you're given the chance to support the vets.

I am well aware of what is happening and I am even more conscious of the politics behind many things. I have my beliefs and I do not believe the military is used to preserve our freedoms much if at all anymore.

[driveway]

You don't wear it for them protecting your freedom. You wear it because they protected the guy next to them.

[Forever Flames]

I donate every year and I wear my poppy every year and I have the highest level of respect for veterans.

People come in here and try and derail a thread meant to support the "positive" aspects of what veterans have done for our country and other countries. Those of you who do, you're not cool and I don't appreciate it; take a hike and start your own "negative" thread about the topic.

Veterans deserve our support.

[SeeBass]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I appreciate everything the older Vets did to preserve our freedom, but I never wear a poppy because I do not feel the same about the younger Vets as I don't feel any of the wars fought after WW2 were for the right reasons (although that is more politicians fault than the soldiers).

So any war after WW2 is no good, but you support WW1 as that was for the "right reasons"? Was Korea less important than the Boer War too? How do these two wars rank in "preserving our freedom"?

I think you are missing the point of wearing a poppy.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I appreciate everything the older Vets did to preserve our freedom, but I never wear a poppy because I do not feel the same about the younger Vets as I don't feel any of the wars fought after WW2 were for the right reasons (although that is more politicians fault than the soldiers).

The wearing of the poppy has nothing to do with the so called glory of war and supporting the war effort - it has everything to do with recognizing the sacrifices made by soldiers in order help ensure our freedoms. I actually am somewhat baffled at your post truthfully, there are wars that I don't support on a personal level, however to use a cliché, I do support the troops that have fought and still fight for the sacrifices that they have made, both with their bodies and minds. Disagreement with the policies of our government is not only acceptable in my view it is one aspect of what makes our country great - intentionally not respecting the sacrifices as some form of silent protest is somewhat silly at best and marginally offensive at worst in my opinion.

I'm not going to say that people are protecting you from terrorists or any of that stuff because that would be specious reasoning but I will say that many men have made great sacrifices in that nation, possibly including some that you interact with on a day to day level.

I actually respect you for having an opinion - I presume that the only war you are referring to is Afghanistan however because not to many people have much in the way of issues with campaigns in Bosnia and the like.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I appreciate everything the older Vets did to preserve our freedom, but I never wear a poppy because I do not feel the same about the younger Vets as I don't feel any of the wars fought after WW2 were for the right reasons (although that is more politicians fault than the soldiers).

Wow there is a lot of this post I disagree with, but I will only make one point.

I know the men that died in my peacekeeping mission deserve to be remembered even if you don't place any value on their death.

I remember them and think about them monthly.

Enjoy you narrow ignorant viewpoint.

[Puppet Guy]

Respect the warriors, not the war.

[Fluffy Bunnies]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Wow there is a lot of this post I disagree with, but I will only make one point.

I know the men that died in my peacekeeping mission deserve to be remembered even if you don't place any value on their death.

I remember them and think about them monthly.

Enjoy you narrow ignorant viewpoint.

Its taking every fibre of my being to really restrain myself. But here goes...

Ignorance is being uninformed. When someone disagrees with your opinion they arent necessarily uninformed. Disagreement with a bunch of agenda driven bull#### political wars is someones opinion. The right of which your buddies supposedly gave their lives for.

The fact remains that Afghanistan has nothing to do with protecting Canadian society. This is a land that has a vast history of tribal conflict and resistance to foreign powers.

An army is created to protect our land; not project our ideals onto others that dont want it. WW2 was the last threat to Canada. Korea, Suez, Cyprus, Bosnia, Afghanistan, etc... are/were of no threat to Canada.

Being a veteran doesnt give you or anyone else a free pass in the morality dept.

[Forever Flames]

Originally Posted by Fluffy Bunnies

Its taking every fibre of my being to really restrain myself. But here goes...

Ignorance is being uninformed. When someone disagrees with your opinion they arent necessarily uninformed. Disagreement with a bunch of agenda driven bull#### political wars is someones opinion. The right of which your buddies supposedly gave their lives for.

The fact remains that Afghanistan has nothing to do with protecting Canadian society. This is a land that has a vast history of tribal conflict and resistance to foreign powers.

An army is created to protect our land; not project our ideals onto others that dont want it. WW2 was the last threat to Canada. Korea, Suez, Cyprus, Bosnia, Afghanistan, etc... are/were of no threat to Canada.

Being a veteran doesnt give you or anyone else a free pass in the morality dept.

There was no direct threat to Canada in either of the world wars either. The bigger picture is something you seem to be missing.

[Fluffy Bunnies]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

it has everything to do with recognizing the sacrifices made by soldiers in order help ensure our freedoms

I dont like making it seem like I hate soldiers or anything, because I dont. But stop kidding yourself. Our brave soldiers that died in Afghanistan didnt die for some heroic Canadian freedom. They died because politicians were driving a poorly hidden agenda and were making money out of it. To hear that no doubt hurts, but unfortunately its the truth. Most of the politicians that sent them to die should be in a prison cell for all the damage and death they have caused.

Just because its in our comfortable, safe, happy society doesnt make it any more right than the monsters of history that we have no problem judging guilty.

[Fluffy Bunnies]

Originally Posted by Forever Flames

There was no direct threat to Canada in either of the world wars either. The bigger picture is something you seem to be missing.

Didnt the Germans attack Canadian merchant ships and naval vessels? Didnt the Japanese attack our soldiers directly in Hong Kong? Unless Im missing something. Seems like a threat to me. Looks like you are missing part of the picture.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Judge the politicians all you want - respect the soldiers though and the sacrifices that they have made. I don't like coverage that talks about the glory of war where boys become men and blah blah blah. The best coverage of war is that which talks about the emotional impact of war, the men whose lives were changed forever and the comradery formed.

I would say going out of your way not to wear a poppy is disrespecting that, especially if it is to make some sort of political statement.

[Forever Flames]

Originally Posted by Fluffy Bunnies

Didnt the Germans attack Canadian merchant ships and naval vessels? Didnt the Japanese attack our soldiers directly in Hong Kong? Unless Im missing something. Seems like a threat to me. Looks like you are missing part of the picture.

There was no threat to Canadian soil. You said earlier that WWII was the last threat to "Canadian Society". You're wrong.

[Fluffy Bunnies]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

Judge the politicians all you want - respect the soldiers though and the sacrifices that they have made. I don't like coverage that talks about the glory of war where boys become men and blah blah blah. The best coverage of war is that which talks about the emotional impact of war, the men whose lives were changed forever and the comradery formed.

I would say going out of your way not to wear a poppy is disrespecting that, especially if it is to make some sort of political statement.

Looks like we do agree on something. Next time say that first.

I do wear a poppy whenever possible, but like stated earlier, I have small children. I do donate to the Legion, etc... because I know the impact war has on the young men coming home. My one grandfather had PTSD bad after coming home from France and Germany. Had flashbacks till the day he died. My brother in law has no hardon for killing after doing 3 tours in Afghanistan.

Believe me, I do respect veterans. But Im not blind to the wars they fight.

[Fluffy Bunnies]

Originally Posted by Forever Flames

There was no threat to Canadian soil. You said earlier that WWII was the last threat to "Canadian Society". You're wrong.

Actually, Im right. Read up on Japanese naval capabilities in the 1940s (by the way they did invade several Aleutian Islands. Thats Alaska, for the uninformed). While you are at it, try looking up German heavy water research (re: atomic bomb). There was very much a threat. Also, our ships are basically Canadian soil; its a direct attack on our sovereignty.

Happy reading! I am now done educating in this thread.