Poppies, heroes, and wars
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So I see this British (Commonwealth? European?) tradition of wearing poppies to commemorate the armistice that ended WW1. I think it's very nice to respect and honour the Fallen :thumbsup: particularly since my own country is very bad at caring for its fallen heroes and their families :sigh: Why are the poppies so flimsy though? Mine lasted a day, and I took very good care of it. It came apart today morning, I put it back and it came apart again at lunch and I lost the black cap that holds it all together. Some of my colleagues have gone through several poppies this week. I know it's a non-profit thing, but surely they can make better quality ones? It's almost as if they want you to keep 'buying' new ones :( On a related note, I watched Terry Kelly's Pittance of Time[^] one or two years back. It's so beautiful it nearly brought tears to my eyes. I feel bad I wasn't able to visit the Battle of Britain memorial on the banks of the Thames this time. "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" My eyes weren't dry when I left the memorial in 2008.
Cheers, विक्रम (Got my troika of CCCs!) "We have already been through this, I am not going to repeat myself." - fat_boy, in a global warming thread :doh:
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
I feel bad I wasn't able to visit the Battle of Britain memorial on the banks of the Thames this time. "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" My eyes weren't dry when I left the memorial in 2008.
I felt the same when I visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial[^] :rose:.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
I know it's a non-profit thing, but surely they can make better quality ones? It's almost as if they want you to keep 'buying' new ones
Well, considering the money goes to the Royal British Legion, I don't think that's a bad thing. See here[^]. If you're in London on Sunday, try to get to the Cenotaph - it's one of the most moving demonstrations we do in this buttoned up, emotionally repressed nation of ours.
I have CDO, it's OCD with the letters in the right order; just as they ruddy well should be
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
That's kinda why I used quotes around 'buying'. I like this idea and wanted to take a few poppies back to India. I can't take several (it would 'hurt' me in Indian Rupees more than it would help the survivors/families in British Pounds) back home, but I expect a poppy to stay good for a few days at least Sadly, my plane leaves in a few hours so I won't be able to attend the event.
Cheers, विक्रम (Got my troika of CCCs!) "We have already been through this, I am not going to repeat myself." - fat_boy, in a global warming thread :doh:
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So I see this British (Commonwealth? European?) tradition of wearing poppies to commemorate the armistice that ended WW1. I think it's very nice to respect and honour the Fallen :thumbsup: particularly since my own country is very bad at caring for its fallen heroes and their families :sigh: Why are the poppies so flimsy though? Mine lasted a day, and I took very good care of it. It came apart today morning, I put it back and it came apart again at lunch and I lost the black cap that holds it all together. Some of my colleagues have gone through several poppies this week. I know it's a non-profit thing, but surely they can make better quality ones? It's almost as if they want you to keep 'buying' new ones :( On a related note, I watched Terry Kelly's Pittance of Time[^] one or two years back. It's so beautiful it nearly brought tears to my eyes. I feel bad I wasn't able to visit the Battle of Britain memorial on the banks of the Thames this time. "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" My eyes weren't dry when I left the memorial in 2008.
Cheers, विक्रम (Got my troika of CCCs!) "We have already been through this, I am not going to repeat myself." - fat_boy, in a global warming thread :doh:
Some seem to be better quality than others although more recent ones do seem to be more flimsy. I have one from years ago that I use every year (still put money in the box though) it is a fabric of some sort.
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.”
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If they make them too solid, people will recycle them over years. The poppies are more than a rememberance thing, it supports the Royal British Legion, which is a charity aimed at helping ex-soldiers: Royal British Legion Website[^] The poppies are their main source of income
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
Mine lasted a day, and I took very good care of it.
What where you doing with it????? I've never had a problem with mine, I've only ever bought several in the same year just because I forgot to wear it that morning.
Keith Barrow wrote:
What where you doing with it?????
Wearing it on my blazer, taking care not to damage it. I'm definitely not the only one who's had problems with poppies falling apart though.
Cheers, विक्रम (Got my troika of CCCs!) "We have already been through this, I am not going to repeat myself." - fat_boy, in a global warming thread :doh:
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Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
I feel bad I wasn't able to visit the Battle of Britain memorial on the banks of the Thames this time. "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" My eyes weren't dry when I left the memorial in 2008.
I felt the same when I visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial[^] :rose:.
Software Zen:
delete this;One of the best military memorials I visited was the American Military Graveyard in Normandy. The thing that moves you the most is when you come to a grave marker with no name on it; it's hard to imagine the feelings of the families waiting for news who receive information that their son is MIA. If you are into more restrained military memorial, I can heartily recommend the British and French graveyards at the Somme. It makes you appreciate just how lucky we really are, and hopefully delivers a deserved kick to remind us what others sacrificed for us.
I have CDO, it's OCD with the letters in the right order; just as they ruddy well should be
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
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Keith Barrow wrote:
What where you doing with it?????
Wearing it on my blazer, taking care not to damage it. I'm definitely not the only one who's had problems with poppies falling apart though.
Cheers, विक्रम (Got my troika of CCCs!) "We have already been through this, I am not going to repeat myself." - fat_boy, in a global warming thread :doh:
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So I see this British (Commonwealth? European?) tradition of wearing poppies to commemorate the armistice that ended WW1. I think it's very nice to respect and honour the Fallen :thumbsup: particularly since my own country is very bad at caring for its fallen heroes and their families :sigh: Why are the poppies so flimsy though? Mine lasted a day, and I took very good care of it. It came apart today morning, I put it back and it came apart again at lunch and I lost the black cap that holds it all together. Some of my colleagues have gone through several poppies this week. I know it's a non-profit thing, but surely they can make better quality ones? It's almost as if they want you to keep 'buying' new ones :( On a related note, I watched Terry Kelly's Pittance of Time[^] one or two years back. It's so beautiful it nearly brought tears to my eyes. I feel bad I wasn't able to visit the Battle of Britain memorial on the banks of the Thames this time. "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" My eyes weren't dry when I left the memorial in 2008.
Cheers, विक्रम (Got my troika of CCCs!) "We have already been through this, I am not going to repeat myself." - fat_boy, in a global warming thread :doh:
I buy one every year, the cheapest looking one, and it always lasts until Remembrance Sunday. After that it is thrown away and replaced with a new one each year. I'm happy that they are flimsy, I just hope that everyone contributes a substantial sum to help all those boys who continue to be injured or killed in causes that most of us find difficult to support.
Just say 'NO' to evaluated arguments for diadic functions! Ash
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So I see this British (Commonwealth? European?) tradition of wearing poppies to commemorate the armistice that ended WW1. I think it's very nice to respect and honour the Fallen :thumbsup: particularly since my own country is very bad at caring for its fallen heroes and their families :sigh: Why are the poppies so flimsy though? Mine lasted a day, and I took very good care of it. It came apart today morning, I put it back and it came apart again at lunch and I lost the black cap that holds it all together. Some of my colleagues have gone through several poppies this week. I know it's a non-profit thing, but surely they can make better quality ones? It's almost as if they want you to keep 'buying' new ones :( On a related note, I watched Terry Kelly's Pittance of Time[^] one or two years back. It's so beautiful it nearly brought tears to my eyes. I feel bad I wasn't able to visit the Battle of Britain memorial on the banks of the Thames this time. "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" My eyes weren't dry when I left the memorial in 2008.
Cheers, विक्रम (Got my troika of CCCs!) "We have already been through this, I am not going to repeat myself." - fat_boy, in a global warming thread :doh:
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
So I see this British (Commonwealth? European?)
It's European, not only British, to bring fowlers on the soldiers memorials.
The narrow specialist in the broad sense of the word is a complete idiot in the narrow sense of the word. Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.
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So I see this British (Commonwealth? European?) tradition of wearing poppies to commemorate the armistice that ended WW1. I think it's very nice to respect and honour the Fallen :thumbsup: particularly since my own country is very bad at caring for its fallen heroes and their families :sigh: Why are the poppies so flimsy though? Mine lasted a day, and I took very good care of it. It came apart today morning, I put it back and it came apart again at lunch and I lost the black cap that holds it all together. Some of my colleagues have gone through several poppies this week. I know it's a non-profit thing, but surely they can make better quality ones? It's almost as if they want you to keep 'buying' new ones :( On a related note, I watched Terry Kelly's Pittance of Time[^] one or two years back. It's so beautiful it nearly brought tears to my eyes. I feel bad I wasn't able to visit the Battle of Britain memorial on the banks of the Thames this time. "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" My eyes weren't dry when I left the memorial in 2008.
Cheers, विक्रम (Got my troika of CCCs!) "We have already been through this, I am not going to repeat myself." - fat_boy, in a global warming thread :doh:
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Lest we forget. :rose:
Join the cool kids - Come fold with us[^]
Rudyard Kipling The Heritage Our Fathers in a wondrous age, Ere yet the Earth was small, Ensured to us a heritage, And doubted not at all That we the children of their heart, Which then did beat so high, In later rime should play like part For our posterity. A thousand years they steadfast built, To 'vantage us and ours, The Walls that were a world's despair, The sea-constraining Towers: Yet in their midmost pride they knew, And unto Kings made known, Not all from these their strength they drew, Their faith from brass or stone. Youth's passion, manhood's fierce intent, With age's judgment wise, They spent, and counted not they spent, At daily sacrifice. Not lambs alone nor purchased doves . Or tithe of trader's gold-- Their lives most dear, their dearer loves, They offered up of old. Refraining e'en from lawful things, They bowed the neck to bear The unadorned yoke that brings Stark toil and sternest care. Wherefore through them is Freedom sure; Wherefore through them we stand, From all but sloth and pride secure, In a delightsome land. Then, fretful, murmur not they gave So great a charge to keep, Nor dream that awestruck Time shall save Their labour while we sleep. Dear-bought and clear, a thousand year, Our fathers' title runs. Make we likewise their sacrifice, Defrauding not our sons.
Some people sail through life on a bed of roses like a knife slicing through butter.
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So I see this British (Commonwealth? European?) tradition of wearing poppies to commemorate the armistice that ended WW1. I think it's very nice to respect and honour the Fallen :thumbsup: particularly since my own country is very bad at caring for its fallen heroes and their families :sigh: Why are the poppies so flimsy though? Mine lasted a day, and I took very good care of it. It came apart today morning, I put it back and it came apart again at lunch and I lost the black cap that holds it all together. Some of my colleagues have gone through several poppies this week. I know it's a non-profit thing, but surely they can make better quality ones? It's almost as if they want you to keep 'buying' new ones :( On a related note, I watched Terry Kelly's Pittance of Time[^] one or two years back. It's so beautiful it nearly brought tears to my eyes. I feel bad I wasn't able to visit the Battle of Britain memorial on the banks of the Thames this time. "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" My eyes weren't dry when I left the memorial in 2008.
Cheers, विक्रम (Got my troika of CCCs!) "We have already been through this, I am not going to repeat myself." - fat_boy, in a global warming thread :doh:
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
Why are the poppies so flimsy though?
Seems like a good metaphor for the fragility of life, how quickly beauty can be brought to destruction. Marc
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Thanks, I learnt that a few weeks back. IIRC, the last scene of Blackadder has the soldiers making the final push, fading into a field of poppies. It's a wonderful experience to immerse yourself in another culture :thumbsup: No, I didn't have steak and kidney pie or fish and chips or get drunk though :)
Cheers, विक्रम (Got my troika of CCCs!) "We have already been through this, I am not going to repeat myself." - fat_boy, in a global warming thread :doh:
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Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
So I see this British (Commonwealth? European?)
It's European, not only British, to bring fowlers on the soldiers memorials.
The narrow specialist in the broad sense of the word is a complete idiot in the narrow sense of the word. Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.
Yes, but I was referring to wearing poppies on coats.
Cheers, विक्रम (Got my troika of CCCs!) "We have already been through this, I am not going to repeat myself." - fat_boy, in a global warming thread :doh: