This is the Sunday that is celebrated in the UK as Remembrance Sunday, while in the US, we celebrate on 11/11 as Veteran's Day. For the few weeks before Remembrance Sunday in the UK, you see everyone wearing red poppy badges. 
They're sold for £1 in tube stations, outside of shops and on the streets to raise money for old soldiers and sailors. All of the TV presenters wear them and you see them on people as diverse as punks and posh poseurs. It's a small way to remember those who've given so much.
They're sold for £1 in tube stations, outside of shops and on the streets to raise money for old soldiers and sailors. All of the TV presenters wear them and you see them on people as diverse as punks and posh poseurs. It's a small way to remember those who've given so much.
I had some family business at the National Army Museum, so as a sign of respect, I purchased a poppy and stuck it in my coat lapel. I've been wearing it since and although it attracts glances here, it's very commonplace in the UK. 
These are some photos from this morning's ceremony at the Cenotaph in London, courtesy of the Guardian.
Please remember.
Please remember.
lovely post, and great tradition.. Poppies are my favorite flower! The last image is priceless.
ReplyDeleteWearing poppies used to be quite common here, too. There is a lovely children's book about the poppies that came out a few years ago: "Where Poppies Grow" by Linda Granfield.
ReplyDeleteI see this all the time on Canadian TV (hockey). I wish we could do something like this for American Soldiers. Instead we get a day off of work and nobody cares, so sad. MB
ReplyDeleteHi If anyone's interested, here's a link to the poem, In Flanders Field, that gave rise to the tradition
ReplyDeletehttp://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/flanders.asp
Re: Rehoboth, it was an easy drive from Easton. Looks like Homer's Odd Isn't He knows of another good store there - Jeff West Home. In a few days I'm going to post pics from my visit to Fiona Week's Easton store.
That's a wonderful tradition. And on a purely superficial note, I love the way the poppy pins look too!
ReplyDeletePeak... it's also very effective when you just see masses of people wearing them. On the tube, on the streets, in offices. It's very unifying. I wish we had something similar here.
ReplyDeleteI've always found this tradition quite moving. I wish we here in the states had something similar - I think it would be very unifying for us. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeletei would love to see something like that here in the states. loved your pix and post. remember the veterans.
ReplyDeleteI think the trouble in the US is that they turned Memorial Day into a public holiday in the early summer -- with the inevitable result that it becomes a day off to go to the beach, have a barbeque, etc. It's not the best way to create a solemn day of national mourning for the country's war dead. Veterans Day then becomes almost a second tier public holiday, with many people at work.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I've posted some of my own photographs of the parade in London at The Man of Mode
Which is the day that the VFW sells poppies here in the U.S.? I always used to buy them (donation) and wear one when I lived in the Midwest but I've never seen them out east.
ReplyDeleteI am from Montreal. I see them less and less as the old soldiers pass on. I always feel like crying when I see one - they are always standing proud. I can never pass up buying a poppy. I am greatful what they have done for our country and for me personally
ReplyDeleteAs a US vet, I have always admired how well Remembrence Day is kept in the UK.
ReplyDeleteGoodness knows how they have suffered in the 20th century.
As a counter to my esteemed friend Sir FF I humbly disagree with him. Memorial Day in May is the traditional US day of honoring fallen military. Veterans Day (11/11) originated as a tribute to the veterans of the first world war.
Events since have added to the rolls of men and women who have served, but it always has been a second class holiday.
As for Memorial Day becoming solely a public holiday I offer two counterclaims.
1. The US flag order calls for the flag to be at half staff until noon. At noon it is raised to full height. Let the party begin..at noon.
2. Its also the Indianapolis 500 day.
Sadly, Americans commerate neither observance well.
Yes ma'am, I would love the book.
What a pretty way to show remembrance and unity.
ReplyDeleteWow, I love that. So simple, but such a nice gesture.
ReplyDeleteAnne
Good for you Fairfax! I miss having my paper poppy in my lapel. I grew up singing "Over There" on Veteran's Day and I still pause at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month and doff my cap or issue the civilian salute to the nearest flag.
ReplyDeleteThat picture of the SAS kid says it all. It's been years since I've seen a comparable sight here in the States.
E&E... i love that the little boy has his spiderman gloves on!
ReplyDeleteWell done Meg. Lovely post. Wonderful tradition and perfect images to illustrate it.
ReplyDeletesuch a nice post.
ReplyDeletei will get a poppy as well .