I was going to write about the Poppy Appeal, but I seem to have covered it all in other posts. Instead, I will just say the following:
The Poppy Appeal was started after the First World War; it helped as many returning service men as it could.
Over the years, it grew and the numbers of people helped was able to grow; now it helps many thousands of people every year.
Where and when you served is immaterial, all that is needed is that you have served under the crown or a crown dependency.
Whether you flew planes, dived in submarines or drove tanks does not matter, you are all eligible.
Your spouse and dependent children are also eligible – well, kids up to the age of eighteen are.
Every penny is accounted for in audited accounts, and you can see where it is spent as well.
Whether you fought in the Falklands, Aden, the Gulf 1 & 2 and all other conflicts from 1914 to the current day, you are eligible, male or female.
Research into how injuries happen, recuperation and rehabilitation, holidays for bereaved families and much, much more is funded from the Poppy Appeal.
And don’t forget the Royal British Legion are the custodians of Remembrance, with the Poppy as its symbol and funding for the National Memorial Arboretum was given several years ago when there was a danger of it closing.
So buy a Poppy and Remember why –
They shall not grow old
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning,
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
However, we don’t ever forget the living either!
I remember my father in law being pushed in a wheel chair proudly wearing his poppy and medals going down Whitehall with the other veterans and their representatives. We must NEVER forget we the living owe those that died our freedom NEVER FORGET THAT!
You said it well Pat bless you x
By: michaeldouglasbosc on October 22, 2012
at 3:43 pm