Poppies

[Stu in USA]

Do other countries wear poppies or something similar? Here in USA no-one wears them, although Nov 11th is a national holiday.

[Stu in USA]

kempie, I did click on the link and very informative it was. However my follow up Q asked specifically about European countries who did fight and if they wear poppies or similar. Something I did not find in link or elsewhere.

[kempie]

Stu - my query was more in response to jenstar posting an answer specifically addressed in the link and your thanks for that information as being "something you did not realise". The implication of this is that the article had not been read.

[Stu in USA]

OK I should have written, "something I did not realise until today". Thanks anyway kempie for being one of the few to answer the Q.

[kempie]

I believe that the wearing of the poppy is a peculiarly British (and by extension Commonwealth) phenomenon since the paper poppy is primarily for raising charity funds by and for the Royal British Legion, in turn for the betterment of millions who have served or who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces, and their dependants.

[joko]

aahh, indignant backtracking.... even going so far as to try to imply that you are the only one that truly cares about this and everyone else is a fake....good try but fools no-one.

you still can't quite grasp the fact that the quality of the poppy is irrelevant though can you ...i would prefer the whole thing to be even cheaper and 'tackier' if it meant more money went to good causes.

i'll put it in simple terms -

the poppies raise money for CHARITY

the more money that is spent on producing the poppies the less that goes to the CHARITIES

therefore england prefers the cheaper poppies.

the poppy is merely a symbol of rememberance - it, in itself, is not what this is all about, ir is what it represents.


please try to realise this.

(p.s, if you want to find something to "bash the english" about, you'll have to do better than this, because this example actually works in our favour, not yours.
Also, be aware, that no-one in england gives a toss about this imaginary feud you seem to have going)

[maxximus]

as kempie correctly states, in canada (by extension) poppies are distributed by volunteers from the royal canadian legion and they do an excellent job of seeing to it, that poppies are available at almost every place of business counter by donation. with the funds being used for charity as kempie says. it pleases me to say, you see very few canadians at the moment without one. unfortunately, my dear friend and uncle will not be marching in the parade for the first time this year to commemorate his lost comrades, as he passed away at 82 some months back. my cousin, his son will be wearing his medals and marching in his place. he was one of the few brave young r.a.f. lancasterman that made it.

[lafrancaise]

In France people don't wear poppies though it's a bank holiday and troops march along the Champs Elysees and salute the President.

[smudge]

So sorry to hear about your Uncle passing away maxximus. You are so lucky to have known such a very brave man.

Well done to your cousin for taking his place - I bet your Uncle will be looking down feeling very proud.

[ludwig]

Why all the bickering? Everyone seems to have missed the tongue in cheek tone of Jenstar's original post.
We should all buy a poppy, whatever kind.

[Evorg Enaj]

smudge. If your grandfather has a headstone then he will be buried under it, that is certain. But to actually be buried in Ieper would be most unusual, most unusual. Hope to learn the outcome of your phone call in due course.

[smudge]

Evorg - just got back from another firework display!

I phoned my brother earlier & he said he & my other brothers have photo's of my Grandad's head stone & assured me that he is actually buried there.

As it is quite a long time since they all went to Ypres, he said he just can't remember the actual name of the cemetery (as there were so many), but will look through some paperwork & let me know.

He remembers it being a small cemetery compared to some others & was just outside a little village, next door to a farm. I can't wait to find out myself now.

He also said you just can't explain the feeling of driving past so many cemeteries & headstones - you have to be there to see the enormity of it all.

Myself, my husband & some of my siblings intended to go there this year, but what with one thing & another, we were sadly unable to.

[Evorg Enaj]

smudge. Understood. Your grandfather is buried outside Ieper. There are very many small cemeteries in that area, and shall be interested to learn the general location when you have it. Ieper can be done on a day coach trip with 5 or 6 hours in the town from where you live (they pick up near the church) - cost �26 each. Friends of Flanders Fields in Ieper will tell you in advance by phone exactly how to get to your grave location from the town Pleased to let you have details if interested.

[smudge]

Thank you for being so helpful Evorg.

My Dad & brothers took their cars to Ypres & I expect we'll be doing so again next time.

My brother said that once off the ferry, it wouldn't take him long to remember how to get to the cemetery, although you could quite easily drive straight past it , so it must be small & well hidden.

Just been looking at some notes I scribbled down as my brother was talking, but they probably won't be of further help at this stage. He has also recently moved house, so I hope it won't take him too long to find the actual address, otherwise I shall have to ask one of the others.

I will let you know how I get on Evorg - but in the meantime, thank you again.

[smudge]

Stu in USA - thank you for allowing Evorg & I to discuss the place of where my Grandad is laid to rest.

Goodnight & sweet dreams.

[maxximus]

smudge, thankyou for your thoughtful comments and i wish you good luck on your endevour of locating and visiting your grandad's grave. i think the photo idea is a very nice touch. cheers!

[smudge]

Thank you again Stu.

You're very welcome maxximus & thank you too. It will be a very emotional time when we all stand together around the grave of the Grandad we never had the chance to meet.

Evorg - Just found one of many maps of around the area we were discussing: Here

[Evorg Enaj]

smudge. It's a very easy drive from Calais, about an hour or hour and a half (if you don't stop at a hypermarket !!). Some nice hotels around and in Ieper. My two shot would-have-been relatives are in separate small cemeteries near Poperinge. The third one day led a sortie up the Menin Road towards Zonnebeke, popped his head over a hump in the ground to have a look and collided head on with a German shell and afterwards nothing whatsoever was seen of him again so hence he is named on the Menin Gate.

[smudge]

Thank you again Evorg - have just come back from our local Remembrance Service.

We will remember them - God bless them all. -xx-