To not buy a poppy

[Hippymum89]

Why is it more important to remember the death of a soldier who died fighting for the country (or so he believed) than the death of every other person who has died?
What about all the others who have died helping others? Were their lives less important? Or the little old lady who died in hospital at the age of 97, she didn't kill any Germans, or rescue people. She lived her life, but doesn't that count?
I think poppys glorify war and therefore murder, so I will not be buying one.

Deja service personnel and their families often do require a huge amount of support. Sadly they don't always get it from the MOD or from the government generally, and that's why people like the RBL are needed. There are shocking levels of homelessness and mental illness among ex-service personnel for a start. There are other things that the RBL do (such as helping veterans visit their comrades' graves overseas) which one could argue aren't essential - but good lord who would begrudge them that?

Yes other groups need support too, but they're not mutually exclusive - as discussed upthread supporting a cancer charity doesn't mean you think people with multiple sclerosis don't deserve help.

The OP isn't being "brave". She just hasn't thought this through.

Deja If you are a member of the Armed Forces and have a disabled dependant, you may need your married quarter adapted. To get the housing people to even start the ball rolling you need an OT report. Say you are in Scotland and are posted to Cornwall, the Scottish OT will not travel to Cronwall to look at the houses and asses the suitability of wether they can be adapted, and the Cornish OT won't take you on until you get there.

Sometimes, the RBL will step in and pay for an OT to do the assessments, so that a house can be identified, assessed and the adaptations started in as short amount of time as possible.

Another thing they offer is holidays for members of the Armed Forces who have disabled dependants who might not otherwise get a holiday. My friend went on one this year, it was just after her DH got home from a tour of duty and just before she had a massive operation.

Yes but their wives because of course there are no women in the mil knew what the job entails when they married them

Apologies for the rambling, but this is a bit close to my heart at the moment.
In some ways their deaths are no more significant than others, but for the fact that those currently serving chose to do so. It is not up to them whether they fight in a politically unpopular conflict, they are merely sent, but they are prepared to give their lives and face dangers so that we don?t have to. So in their way I think that spending a day a year specifically thinking of them and donating some money to a charity to help look after them and their families is a very small gesture.
I had the unpleasant task yesterday of adding the name of one of these young men to the 100+ on our school war memorial. I was grateful that because of the likes of him I could safely return to my family after school. His mum had only memories to return to, his colleagues, a big hole where their friendship had been and his brother a deep blackness that he may never get out of. I don?t grudge them a day and a donation to try and help rebuild shattered lives. I don?t know anyone who wishes for war and conflict, it is a sad human trait; until we can eliminate it we need to be seen to care and to help whether financially or with support those who are brave enough to stand up for the rest of us. Yesterday made me incredibly sad, I feel depressed today, but there no matter how it makes me feel there is no way I am withdrawing my support for his family until they no longer need it.
I have known many veterans of many conflicts, conscripts and volunteers. My father in law, a conscript in ww2 and veteran of the Italy campaign wanted to pay his respects to this young man yesterday, my old soldier now in his 90s is ill it was not possible. His comment was that despite what he knew could happen this lad made the choice to defend our freedoms, and therefore he felt he should pay his respects to this brave soul.
The RBL by the way are helping my father in law overcome his mobility issues at the moment, for which we are very grateful.

Good God, there's some bollocks being posted on this thread.

When my husband joined the Army 22 years ago, the only thing on the horizon was Northern Ireland. No one could have predicted back then that Iraq or Afghanistan would happen and he has not long arrived back safely from his fourth tour of the later, thank God.

He doesn't get a choice where he goes. The government sends him. He doesn't get to pick and choose although yes, he could leave the Army (unlike those in WW1 and WW2). Mind you... Not many would walk away from a career so close to finishing it. Nice to preach from on high when you are never faced with that decision.

To those of your that call him a murderer... I'm damn sure you don't have military friends that you say that to their face. I know hundreds of forces personnel and their other halves. Not one of them would tolerate being called that.

Do I buy a poppy? You're damn straight I do. There's a story of a soldier in a WW1 trench who slipped and put his hand down to steady himself.... And it went right through the face of his friend who had been lying there, rotting away for weeks. I buy a poppy to remember him, his comrades, those he fought against, those were caught in the crossfire and those who continue to be affected today.

Glorify war? My arse.

Jesus, whatever happened to patriotism.

I haven't read all the replies to this thread, I knew it would ruffle some feathers- I most certainly wasn't picking a fight.
I'm pleased to see I'm not the only one who sees that war=murder (C'mon it may be painful to admit, but they don't play tiddlywinks to see who wins do they?)
I also realise most soldiers don't/didn't join up to kill people - however I do know a few who did....
The fact that everyone on TV is wearing one, it's like a 'club' or something, anyway, others have put it better than me.
I'm signing out now, not because I'm scared of the bullies on here, because I have better things to do. All I'm saying is, cut all the crap, and see it for what it really is. Goodnight.

StElmo - what's with the weird stalking stuff???!!!
And does it prove anything about me? I don't get it?!
Great bike by the way.........

I see it for what it is. A mark of respect for people who gave up everything for their country.

MrsBW your husband does have a choice. It is his JOB, he gets paid for it.
My ex was a squaddie, I'm not as clueless as you all seem to think. Open your eyes!

Name calling, swearing... that's being nice?, having a grown-up discussion?
Not where I come from which you all know now anyway

Ahh the classic bitter ex. OK, explains a lot. Well done.

,,,no, not really. I WAS A SQUADDIE TOO!!!! for 8 years!!
Joined at 18 when I thought all the stuff you guys think
Then I grew up
Now I really make a difference

Wow this takes drip feeding to the extreme!

How ignorant and small-minded you are, OP. You wanted to start a bun-fight but you lack the wit, quite frankly.

Buy a poppy, don't buy one - who cares what you do. I don't. I care about the poppy appeal very deeply and wonder at the incredible sacrifices made by others for everybody.

Lest we forget, indeed.

A soldier for 8 years but you get upset by 'name calling and swearing' - yeah, pull the other one love.

I don't believe you were a soldier!

No no no, you bright young things, I couldn't give a flying proverbial about what you say/think/do towards me
You would all have kissed my feet by the look of it a few years ago
hey ho, that's the way it goes

Kissed your feet? What the fuck are you talking about?