November 8, 2009

Red Poppy Sunday

In the UK, today is Remembrance Sunday. This date was established after the “Great War”, which was World War I. But then WWII came along, and then several other conflicts, including the current ones.  Remembrance-SundayAs I mentioned in my post last year, paper poppies are sold everywhere to raise money for veterans of the numerous wars and conflicts. Everyone wears them, from punks to pensioners to posh tots. They are sold in Tube stations and in grocery stores. They unite the country in a very visible way… in a way like nothing here in the US does. Queen-Elizabeth-IIBritish forces all over the world, from those currently serving,Afghanistan to the aging Chelsea Pensioners, stop to remember their fallen comrades spanning the generations.Chelsea-PensionersPlease take a moment to remember those who have lost their lives to ensure our freedom and safety, both here in the US and all over the world.

15 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos and wonderful thoughtfulness and respect. Thank you, Trish

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  2. This morning I was listening to BBC radio 4's remembrance broadcast. it was very moving. Following this was a fascinating program called "Poppies are Red Cornflowers are Blue" it is the history of a symbol in France and England. It will be available to listen to for 6 more days http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/programmes/schedules/fm

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  3. i always wondered what those red poppies were about. i would see diana wearing them and the queen. interesting. how your head is ok. i've had a headache for a week off and on. sinus i think. i hope.

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  4. I like the idea that the poppies raise money for veterans. Its a more participatory ritual for those of us who are not veterans than our memorial day.

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  5. Beautiful images - and sentiment. Looking for to Veteran's Day this Wed.!

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  6. Yes, very interesting Meg, thank you for sharing. Supporting veterans around the world is so important.

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  7. Beautiful photos Meg. All that red makes quite an impact. I always buy a few of the poppies that the vets outside the grocery store will be selling. And thank them so much for them so much for their service.

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  8. "In Flanders fields the poppies blow / Between the crosses row on row," - John McCrae "In Flanders Fields" written on May 3 1915. We remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and yet the "Great War" sadly was not "the war to end all wars".

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  9. Participated in Remembrance Day yesterday with the British Embassy here in Tirana, Albania. The memorial is for 48 British soldiers who died here in Albania during World War II. The printed program included this officiant: "When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today." This is from an inscription on the Kohima 2nd Division Memorial in India. The memorial remembers the dead Allied forces who fought against the Japanese 15th Army that invaded India in 1944.

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  10. We wear poppies here in Bermuda too, and Wednesday is a public holiday with a ceremony at the cenotaph which includes the veterans of WW I & II.

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  11. Beautiful images... our "poppy day" is Wednesday....

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  12. I am glad that you are paying homage to the troops around the world who died fighting for their countries.I believe that we need to support our men and women who are serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.My heart goes out to the men and women who are fighting and dying in Afghanistan.I would like to thank the men who were members of the Maryland 29th Infantry Division who fought and died on the Beaches of Normandy June 6,1944.

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