Lest we forget

“At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, we shall remember them.”

What is the first image that pops into your mind when you think about Remembrance Day? Perhaps it’s the poppy? The association between these bright red flowers that grew on the fields after World War I, provide such strong imagery for such a sad event.

It’s around about the beginning of November when poppies start making their appearances; TV, offices, hospitals, school, pretty much everywhere. In previous years I’ve spotted large poppies fixed to the front of cars and you can even have poppies on profile pictures/ avatars on Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites. I’ve even seen a few people style their poppies by using glitter glue or sequins and some even use them as a fashion accessory by fixing them to their hat rather than their coat collars. The point is everyone wears one at some point in some shape or form. It’s not necessary but people wear them because they want to wear one. The question is why?

Why do you wear a poppy? Is it because it makes you feel good? Is it because the flowers look good? Or is it because everyone else around you in wearing one and you want to feel part of the crowd?

I believe people should wear one as a personal reminder, to remember the real meaning and not just be a part of a passing trend. I’m pretty sure that a significant number of people who do wear them, have no idea why they have them pinned to their clothing and don’t really know what they represent. They wear them so that others don’t think badly of them for not wearing a poppy as they want to maintain a certain image to the people around them. Some of these people may include certain individuals that are in the media limelight on a regular basis, that probably have a poppy pinned onto them just before they step out in front of the cameras to maintain their images. It is very rare to see someone without a poppy on them and those that have decide to not wear one are said to be setting a bad example. I disagree and in fact I believe they are setting a better example by standing up for what they believe in and not just following the trend – case in point: Jon Snow and his beliefs.

Today is poppy day and like all poppy days before it, I will be wearing mine - to remember. No one has told me that I should wear one, but I wear it because I paid attention in history and I feel for those people who bravely fought and subsequently lost their lives in the war. They fought for their country, a country which I was born in, a country that provided me with a life and opportunities that others can only dream of, a country that gives me the freedom to make my own choices and I am thankful for that. I may not be related to those who passed away, but I do feel a sense of gratitude towards them and I always will carry that with me throughout my life.

Because it all comes down to this... when you strip away the meaning of the poppy, what are you really left with? A bid of red paper and green plastic stuck to your shirt, the design of which is not that great (see following blog post) as they often get lost or damaged and the remnants of which can be found smushed into the pavement. And so you end up buying another to replace the lost/ damaged one to ensure that you’re still part of the trend. Basically it ends up being a waste of money, materials and a pointless exercise so why not just avoid all that hassle and make a donation instead?

As I said before, wearing a poppy is not essential - you don’t need a poppy to remember, you just need to remember the sacrifices. And not just for this one day, we should really remember them regardless of what month it is. Those that have lost loved ones in the war remember them all the time and I’m sure they don’t wear poppies all year round so are they setting a bad example? So I think the question is not, did you wear a poppy today... but if you did, why do you wear yours?