Remembrance

It’s important to show due gratitude for the Service and sacrifice of others. For many Service-leavers and Veterans, Remembrance is a very personal prompt to honour those they Served with, but whose lives were lost or disrupted during that Service.

Wearing a paper poppy is a small gesture that pays tribute to a mighty sacrifice, though the exact expression behind it remains a personal choice. For some it’s a message of support for past and Serving Armed Forces personnel, while for others it’s a symbol of peace and acknowledgement of the innocent civilians who have also lost their lives through conflict or acts of terror. Whatever it means to individuals who wear a poppy, it’s never compulsory, with some people, in fact, choosing to abstain from wearing the poppy altogether, though they may still choose to contribute to the charitable side of the appeal.

The traditional poppy day appeal by the Royal British Legion has its origins in the First World War, where red poppies thrived in the overturned earth of the Western Front, inspiring Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae to pen the immortal poem ‘In Flanders Field’ after the death of a friend at Ypres in 1915, that mentions poppies as a metaphor for renewal.

Poppy Appeal

The first Poppy Appeal became instantly successful in 1921 raising £106,000. With estimates based on last year’s total, it’s likely that the 2025 Poppy Appeal will make over £50million for Military related causes, including financial advice and assistance, residential care, welfare and of course, specialist assistance for wounded, injured, and sick Service personnel and Veterans.  

The paper poppies produced by the Royal British Legion have no inherent value and are not overtly religious by design, though for many, they do hold spiritual and emotional meaning. This means that they are utterly democratic, and since they can be purchased in exchange for the smallest possible donation, are available to everyone who wants to support the appeal in some small way.

With war and conflict still ongoing around the world, Service personnel and Veterans will understand that British Forces stand to be mobilised at very short notice, as they have been in previous conflicts. In that sense, the poppy and Remembrance is a reminder that the Armed Forces are ready to protect us again, should the need arise, and that due respect should be paid to the Military community for all they contribute and indeed, are prepared to sacrifice.

Support the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise-for-us/poppy-appeal

Image: Crown Copyright