If you have a quid to spare this week

[Tig]

Maybe buy a poppy

How much you pay is optional - but the Legion support of lot of ex-service personel and their families.

I know from my family history research that I have a lot of people to thank for my being here and living in a part of the world that is 'free', I also have a lot of friends whose children have fought in conflicts since WW2 ... I can't imagine what these people have to cope with - I am happy to say 'thank you' and remember all those who have fought for our freedoms by wearing my poppy as an expression of remembrance.

x Tig

[Spruance]

Well said Tig.

My paternal granddad fought in WW1 fortunately emerging unscathed.

Sadly my maternal granddad wasn't so lucky and lost his life on 9th January 1943 having contracted TB whilst manning the anti-aircraft guns in all weathers in defence of the city of Aberdeen.

In recent years I have adopted a different strategy with Poppy Day, and now recycle my poppy every year and make an online donation which means that the Royal British Legion get the tax back as well via GiftAid, so a £10 donation is worth £12.80.

This is the link if anyone else wants to follow suit...

www.britishlegion.org.uk/content/Donate-Now-513629.shtml

[Barbara]

as a family with a son/brother who's just back from iraq, we could never forget. thanks for reminding others, tig.

[Plocket]

I always ALWAYS give on Poppy Day. My grandpa's older brother got shot (and killed) by a celebrationary bullet on armistice day following WW1 - talk about bad luck

What we have to remember is that it isn't just for the World Wars, but to remember all the service personnel, past and present. They do an amazing job, and I wouldn't want to do it.

[MamIDdau]

I'm out this Sunday with SJA but I'm just assisting with the ambulance and not taking part in the parade. Out tomorrow night with them too for Bonfire Night on the prom...

I can't go to the service because I'll just start crying. I get rather emotional when I think about what these people gave to ensure our freedom.

[JennyWrenn]

Me too April especially if someone plays The Last Post

I used to go to every Remembrance Day Service. My Uncle's name is read out with lots of others and it feels really sad - I never met him

[MamIDdau]

I used to be in a marching band type thing and we always went to the remembrance sunday services and used to march with the veterans. Always enjoyed paying my respects.

[Missredhead]

I already got mine...in fact I have bought 3 so far...I keep losing them
I get them from school.

[Susie Snowdrop]

Dunnit about six times this week ........... and I've got the wrist band Excellent cause!

S x

[borderbabe]

I always buy a poppy every year. My father was in WW2 and I also had an uncle in the RN whose ship was on escort duties around the baltic area up towards Russia for most of WW2. Luckily they both survived to tell the tale although my father never liked to talk about his experiences too much i'm grateful to him and all those who fought.

We must also think about the troops in the middle East - there will always be a need to make sure they are well looked after, having volunteered to put their lives on the line.

[Barbara]

why why why, do we treat our service men, and women, so badly, we should be ashamed that we let the powers that be , get away with it.

[MamIDdau]

In tracing our family tree I know my great grandad died in Kitchener's first lot in 1915 and is buried at Le Havre (I think) and my grandad lost uncles and brothers in WW2 so I'm particularly a) sad that I never got to meet these people and b) grateful to them for their sacrifice.

[Ladygardener]

I've bought a poppy every year for as long as I remember. The debt we owe all our servicemen and women could never be repaid and I'm honoured to pay my respects.

[beanie]

we always buy, but can someone tell me why they have to depend on charity when they've put their life on the line. at the other extreme the goverment will hand out thousands to some numpty in a jail cell who has complained about his civil right being contravened. O'K I'll get of my soapbox

[Spruance]

That's the situation that many people seem unable to grasp. The Poppy Appeal isn't just to help veterans of WW2, but all of our brave servicemen and women.

A once a year commemoration like this is all well and good but this is a cause that should receive a much higher year round profile.

[Deleted]

Ive got mine and i get one every year, my grandad was in WW2 and has got a lot of medals he was shot in the leg, he died when i was 11.

Ive been to London a few years ago for the service it was very moving and the queen was there, i had a good cry at the time.

[fozzie]

So you were David's father,
And he was your only son,
And the new-cut peats are rotting
And the work is left undone,
Because of an old man weeping,
Just an old man in pain,
For David, his son David,
That will not come again.