Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

[Parksy]

November is upon us once again and the national act of remembrance takes place at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Sunday November 11th at 11 a.m.
Similar acts of remembrance also take place in cities, towns and villages throughout the UK and while the dead of two world wars are honoured the funds raised by the Royal British Legion poppy appeal helps members of the armed forces and their families.

There are many ways in which donations can be made, poppies, wristbands, wooden crosses etc can be bought from poppy sellers or from some retail outlets, pubs, clubs etc.
Hopefully forum members will have noticed that for November my usual avatar caricature picture which highlights my finely chiselled features has been replaced by a Royal British Legion poppy.
This serves as a reminder that the poppy appeal hopes to raise £42 million pounds with which to carry out their vital work.
If any forum member wishes to share the poppy avatar I'm more than happy to help provided that the proud recipient is prepared to spend a quid on a real poppy, wristband, badge etc; next time that they see a poppy seller.
If you would like to share the avatar please add your usename below this post and I will be available to help you to swap your avatar ( and save the old one ) for the poppy avatar from tomorrow afternoon.

At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them.......

 

[ValA.]

I've already bought my poppies Parksy.
My father joined up when he was too young, and was in the regular Army before World War II. He served in Afghanistan, before the war, and in 'Palestine' and during the war, in North Africa. He was captured in North Africa, and shipped to Italy with other prisoners of war. On the march back up through Italy he and a friend escaped and lived in a cave supported by an Italian farming family, for eighteen months. Later the family were 'denounced' and all the men shot by the Germans, for harbouring a prisoner of war. Dad and his friend were recaptured, and spent the remainder of the war in a prisoner of war camp. At the end of the war my Dad weighed about six stone, and had a period of intense rehabilitation in our home town, where he met and married my mother.
Thereafter he sold poppies for the British Legion every year, and in the November of the year he died in December, he brought in the most money and sold the most poppies of all the local sellers.
Years after he and my mother went back to the village where the farming family lived, and despite the tragedies, were made incredibly welcome by everyone in the village. He was moved to tears when he even talked about it afterwards!
I buy mine as soon as I see them on sale, and to me they are priceless.

 

[Gybe]

Plus the big plastic vehicle Poppies with the "fits all" double tie wrap fixings

.
Remembrance Sunday is my rolling back the years day. Silk Suit, linen shirt, Lobb shoes, regimental tie and off to parade with very elderly old soldier family friends. We then go to lunch and back to 'ours' for the evening and a few drinks.
"They shall grow not 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."
Moments of sadness, tears and laughter as always, but for me the killer moments are the look in the eyes as they remember old friends who never grew older or the horrofic sights they witnessed

I also always carry a solid Silver Cigarette case presented to my grandfather in France by fellow officers at Christmas 1916 following his heroic exploits and bravery during the battle of the Somme. A very different time and age to now. What the case saw in WW1 and WW2 ???

 

[soldlisa04]

We are away tonight so I have recorded the Service of Remembrance as my OH is ex Navy submariner and we love to sit and watch (I always cry without fail). My grandfather was in the second world war and I was absolutely thrilled when my Mum passed on all his medals to me on his death and I will treasure them. We are hoping to go next year to the Royal Albert Hall and take my parents with us (I shall be a crying wreck). Can you swap my avatar please: soldlisa04 thanks Parksy.

 

[Willi-Wonti]

I shall be dressed up in my parade uniform on Sunday to lay a wreath on behalf of the West Midlands Fire Service at our local British Legion Cenotaph

 

[Parksy]

We are away tonight so I have recorded the Service of Remembrance as my OH is ex Navy submariner and we love to sit and watch (I always cry without fail). My grandfather was in the second world war and I was absolutely thrilled when my Mum passed on all his medals to me on his death and I will treasure them. We are hoping to go next year to the Royal Albert Hall and take my parents with us (I shall be a crying wreck). Can you swap my avatar please: soldlisa04 thanks Parksy.

Done

 

[chrisbee1]

It is the one day of the year when I wear my medal and stand as near as I can get to the saluting base in my adopted home town to watch my old regiment march past. Obviously too young for the 2nd world war but I lost comrades in the Falklands.

 

[Mel]

The church I go to was absolutely packed this morning. What was really great was that there were lots of families with children there. The vicar did a super talk for the children first before the sermon for the adults. It is really important that successive generations remember.

mel