James McClean.

I was at the game and couldn't see who was or wasnt wearing one. Looking at the game on tv now I can quite see how some could fall off though.

 

Wonder if our German manager would have worn a poppy.

 

I've a feeling he would.Did he last season?

 

No idea Helen but I'm sure he might have and respected all who died regardless of which side.

 

Tbh I always thought that's what Remembrance silences were for . I certainly dont just think about British soldiers but about all the people caught up in conflict.

 

Maybe Helen. Just not sure on that one. The service of remembrance at the Albert Hall always seemed to be a British thing. But again I'm not altogether sure.

 

I might be in the minority, but I’ve always felt that when the state sends our young men and women away to fight in conflicts, then it has an absolute duty to ensure they are adequately catered for, financially and emotionally, when they return. The fact that it mostly doesn’t, leads to great hardship and suffering, and results in charities such as Help For Heroes and the Poppy Appeal having to ask the public to step in. Just another example of the state failing in its duty as far as I’m concerned.

 

my grandad who fought and was awarded medals in WW2 never wore a poppy for that exact reason.

 

I will boo and berate him but that will be due to him being a dirty, cheating diving bar steward rather than for his poppy wearing stance.

 

I hope you don’t think I’m been there “poppy police” as you put it,I agree with you that it is a personal choice and wether or not I agree if they don’t wear one I will always listen to their reasonings and respect it.

I’m just curious as to how the general reaction would be from the crowd on Saturday, it’s going to be a talking point it is every year. I do hope as suggested previously that it is ignored.

 

Currently he’s getting dogs abuse from the West Brom fans, so it does seem it still upsets people.

 

Nor did chaplin

 

It is British thing after WW1, to mourn the fallen and to provide help for those injured. As time went by it obviously then moved on to include ww2 . We are now entering a period where there will be no conscripts, and it will just be for the permanent members of the armed forces

 

Correct, that could be the factor. I didn’t remember that initially.

 

it was actually a french woman who first utilised the poppy as a symbol, she wrote a poem of some sort which was picked up by an American I think and populised, America subsequently used the poppy as a symbol of remembrance for allied forces after WW1, I guess the British jumped onboard so to speak shortly after

 

The poppy started in 1921 to remember world war one.......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_poppy

Then as time goes on more and more conflicts are added to what it signifies. Both the world wars I can see why. Those heros paid the ultimate sacrifice for us all and were braver than we can ever imagine. They were sent with no choice but to go defend our country and they should never ever be forgiven.

I think a lot who don't like the poppy is that it's used to symbol conflicts that have gone off since. Wars in foreign countries where men and women who had the choice to join the army went to police the world because our PMs sent them there (apart from the great Harold Wilson who refused to send troops to Vietnam). The poppy doesn't have the same meaning as it used to have.

People can wear one or not wear one as those who fought in the wars saved our freedom. I aren't a fan of the pin badge poppies though. I don't think it should be worn like a fashion item. People should stick to wearing the normal poppy.

 

Every year we have this debate.

Everyone should want to wear one but nobody should have to wear on. Just my opinion.

 

And you add a sprig of Rosemary to it for the ANZACs, in remembrance of the fields of Gallipoli.

 

I disagree with most of the wars we have been involved with, WW2 being an obvious exception & Kosovo. I do support those that have gone to war under orders, often orders I disagree with & there are people suffering from injuries both physical & mental that should be addressed. I'd like our state to look after them better, but many are not, sadly.