Originally Posted by Gozit (Post 11466514)

That was a great article. :)

Originally Posted by Tirytory (Post 11466463)

Brought up as one- parents devoted as is my brother now...my children were feeling sorry for me the other day for my lack of birthday and Christmas :) . Hypocrisy in one easy answer...

My best friend and my mother became my two witnesses required to disfellowship me when I refused to repent my sins.. Might have been easier to pay it lip service but as you might gather that's never been my style ;)

Originally Posted by calman014 (Post 11466722)

It's a pity so many people forget how many young men died for the freedoms we all enjoy today. Canada lost a vast amount of young men in both the Great War (WWI) from where the poppy ceremonials originate, and also in WWII.

If you have never been to West Flanders in Belgium or visited the former battlefields in that area, especially if you had family who served or died there, I would highly recommend it. Many Canadians make the journey every year!

I can't explain it in words. My Grandfather fought there and it started me on a journey of exploration. You have to stand there yourself to experience it and then discover for yourself the futility of war.

The opinions of some journalist on Al-Jazeera doesn't really interest me because they will never understand what it's about anyway and obviously haven't studied history.

Originally Posted by calman014 (Post 11466832)

It's never been an obligation. It's mark of respect, nothing more. Why other people are wearing one doesn't interest me..it just reminds me.

Originally Posted by calman014 (Post 11466722)

It's a pity so many people forget how many young men died for the freedoms we all enjoy today...... discover for yourself the futility of war.

Originally Posted by caretaker (Post 11466865)

I have to buy another poppy today for my parka, it's -15

Originally Posted by bats (Post 11467660)

I've bought one of the poppies from the Tower. Maybe next year I'll pin it on my lapel.

Originally Posted by MillieF (Post 11467678)

Oh well done you! You lucky thing....I too wanted one, but they were all sold, I think they are wonderful.

I have a prayer stand, its a beautiful piece of carved oak in memory of a lad that died on 5th November 1918 when he was 19 in the Somme. I was a very broke student and passed a church hall in Newham, East London that was turning into a matress factory and saw it in the rain. I didn't have the money, but I borrowed it and went back and dragged it home on the bus. This young man's memory has been a talking point wherever I have gone, I took it to Oman, and then to France and now to Canada. It gets people talking and is a wonderful ice breaker. I often wonder how much his parents suffered to make a memorial to their son, and that it should have been so discarded. He is much alive in our home, and we have often discussed him.

How will you get your poppy....will they ship it, or did you do it through family? They look fantastic. How wonderful to be part of such ba great artistic and emotional installation:thumbsup: