To think school shouldn’t insist that everyone wears a poppy and donates £1

[moonlightholly]

It’s supposedly in a deprived area too - there are constant reminders of the high percentage of pupils with PP.

Also, I don’t think a school should insist everyone wears a poppy - or AIBU?

Hang on @Sostenueto - many of us are perfectly capable of showing respect for the war dead without wearing a poppy and looking maudlin for a couple of minutes in November so pack in the hyperbole.

Unfortunate x post as I was referencing an earlier post of yours.

With regards to your aunt, that was indeed tragic but the Allies killed many innocent 4 year olds to, as you say, defend your freedom.

@Sostenueto - My aunt aged 4 was killed in the Blitz.

And Majella O'Hare, a 12 year old schoolgirl had just walked past an army checkpoint on her way to church in 1976, when she was shot in the back by a paratrooper.

and Marie Wilson was 20 when she was killed by an IRA bomb on Remembrance Day in Enniskillen - your point?

Bertrandrussell, my dad served in WW2 too despite me only being in my 40's (I think for most people on here it will be grandads though). So did his brother who was completely destroyed mentally by it for the rest of his life (which ended by suicide when he couldn't cope anymore). While they didn't object to remembering, they both opposed nationalism, enforced participation, competitive patriotism type stuff. They fought the war to stop that (this was their opinion). My dad always said that if you want to show respect get yourself out there and take a meal to someone who's hungry or doesn't bother cooking for one, visit someone who's lonely, send a Christmas card to someone who won't get one, run errands for a housebound or ill person. There are plenty of isolated veterans or war widows to choose from. Maybe not in the same way now as the WW2 generation passes on. But still. Does anyone happen to know if there is any remembrance for people like my uncle who survived in body but are ultimately casualties of war?

I don't think schools shoud insist on charity donations for anyone, at any time. Encourage yes but not insist.

However, I've not donated to the Poppy Appeal this year, for the first time, possibly ever, because they and the other military charities such as Help for Heroes are swimming in money so they don't need it, and other charities do. It struck me that if they are swimming in so many funds, why are more recent ex-veterans from Iraq, Afghanistan and the Gulf War (and indeed the Troubles in NI) not receiving more help for their mental health problems?

Just out of interest, have you got any living relatives that were alive during WW2 my mother yes who was a very small child at the time

DrCoconut that reminds me of every time I get the rage when I see another article about how 100s of people turn up at a complete strangers funeral to show “respect” because they served and they have no other family. I’m sure there are many elderly veterans who would rather be visited while still living to break up the loneliness. But no one wants to do that, do they...

I will go to my local parade tomorrow, medals and shoes polished and quietly remember my friends, lost in service and very much missed.

This vile thread turns up every year like a bad penny.

Perhaps one year you might try not to turn up on it like a supercilious bad penny yourself derxa.

@exLtEveDallas - and Marie Wilson was 20 when she was killed by an IRA bomb on Remembrance Day in Enniskillen - your point?

My point is that the paratrooper who murdered Majella is one of those supported by the poppy appeal and the RBL.

What is your point regarding Marie Wilson? I fail to see the relevance of her murder to this thread as her murderers are not supported by the organisation behind the poppy appeal.

I don’t care what culture your from, in this country we wear a poppy and Remember the fallen. If you don’t like it feel free to not be here!

I don’t care what culture your from, in this country we wear a poppy and Remember the fallen. If you don’t like it feel free to not be here!

BINGO!!!

And that concludes ignoramus bullshit bingo for this evening folks. Thanks for playing.

Must've missed you acquiring the right to speak on behalf of all British people pineapple.

Perhaps one year you might try not to turn up on it like a supercilious bad penny yourself derxa. I tend not to obey instructions from other posters.

Nothing Ignorant about it, we respect and remember our dead. It’s what we do. If you don’t like our traditions why are you here?

This thread is vile, have some respect and buy a poppy. And teach your children how lucky they are to live here.

@DawnOfTheDeadleg I’m speaking on behalf of anyone who has my beliefs.

who is exactly is ‘we’?

Eh, Pineapple? I was born here!

Then show some respect! For the sacrifices your ancestors made.

If you don’t like our traditions why are you here?

I’m speaking on behalf of anyone who has my beliefs.

Sentiments shared by pretty much every fascist dictator that ever existed. I wish MN would hurry up and install that facepalm emoji.

I bet you have an upside down Union Jack on the front of your house don’t you @PineappleLumps

Lol I’m no facist I just like a little bit of respect.

Then show some respect! For the sacrifices your ancestors made.

Those sacrifices were so we could have freedom to make our own choices. Wearing a poppy is not compulsory.

@PurpleDaisies of course but why wouldn’t you want to honour the fallen.