Wearing the Poppy

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Trafford

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Should poppies be on sale and worn in Ireland in memory of ex-servicemen and women who lost their lives in armed conflict?

I think it is a lovely and fitting reminder of the human sacrifice to see people (mostly on UK TV channels) wearing the poppy. A gentleman over from the UK today visiting our office is wearing one on his lapel, and it struck me how nice an idea it is. Subtle, yet so symbolic.
 
Although it's very much associated with Britain, It's not (I don't think) an exclusively British thing. With that in mind, I don't see why we in Ireland shouldn't commemorate.

I'd imagine it would be viewed very much as a political statement on this island though as the only people here I ever see wearing the poppy are UUP/DUP members.
 
Trafford said:
Should poppies be on sale
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If people want to sell them.
and worn in Ireland in memory of ex-servicemen and women who lost their lives in armed conflict?
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If people want to buy/wear them.
I think it is a lovely and fitting reminder of the human sacrifice to see people (mostly on UK TV channels) wearing the poppy.
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With at least one high profile exception.
A gentleman over from the UK today visiting our office is wearing one on his lapel
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That's usually where they're worn as far as I know.
and it struck me how nice an idea it is. Subtle, yet so symbolic.
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Only now? Did you never see them before this?
 
As an alternative, Irish solution, would a tricolour lapel pin do the job, and is also wearable at any time.
[broken link removed]
 
Trafford said:
Should poppies be on sale and worn in Ireland in memory of ex-servicemen and women who lost their lives in armed conflict?
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I presumed that you meant specifically those Irish people who had fought/died in the UK armed forces - and this is already done as far as I know (i.e. the Royal British Legion has some sort of presence in Ireland and sells/distributes poppies for this purpose). However you seem to be suggesting that maybe the Remembrance Day poppy could become a more general commemorative emblem for members of the Irish armed forces? I can't see this happening to be honest.
 
ClubMan said:
I presumed that you meant specifically those Irish people who had fought/died in the UK armed forces - and this is already done as far as I know (i.e. the Royal British Legion has some sort of presence in Ireland and sells/distributes poppies for this purpose). However you seem to be suggesting that maybe the Remembrance Day poppy could become a more general commemorative emblem for members of the Irish armed forces? I can't see this happening to be honest.
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Me neither.
Developing a mock Home Counties accent, travelling over there once a fortnight to support their soccer teams, watching their TV, even taking up cricket is one thing. Wearing a paper flower for a week or so is something else.
 
:)

Just to clarify - I don't really care what emblems people choose to wear, including this one, but cannot see it being adopted on a more general basis in this country for lots of reasons...
 
The poppy does not only represent the UK. You'll find it worn in many countries that were involved in the war, although you might argue that most of these are members of the British commonwealth. It is also worn in the US, but not as widely.
 
The only places in Ireland I have seen poppies for sale (for a donation) was in lobbies of COI churches. I think it is still quite a sectarian issue here.
 
That's where I saw them too - at the annual ecumenical service in the CoI church in the graveyeard where my father is buried. Not sure that this necessarily evidenced any sectarianism?
 
Just to clarify - I don't really care what emblems people choose to wear, including this one, but cannot see it being adopted on a more general basis in this country for lots of reasons
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How about a swastika? or a 'tax is theft' pin?
Such emblems can encourage patriotism.
 
I always thought that is was in rememberance of those who died in all conflicts that the British were involved in.

So in essence you would be page homage to the Black and Tans, the Parachute regiment etc.

Not something I would particularly care to do if I am being really honest.
 
slamdunkin said:
I always thought that is was in rememberance of those who died in all conflicts that the British were involved in.

So in essence you would be page homage to the Black and Tans, the Parachute regiment etc.

Not something I would particularly care to do if I am being really honest.
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- Excellent post!
 
slamdunkin said:
conflicts that the British were involved in.
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Incorrect.

The wearing of the poppy is most closely associated with the British and British conflicts but it is an international emblem and refers to all nationalities/conflicts.

The tradition actually started in the USA.
 
Caveat said:
Incorrect.

The wearing of the poppy is most closely associated with the British and British conflicts but it is an international emblem and refers to all nationalities/conflicts.

The tradition actually started in the USA.
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Are you sure it started in the USA? I thought it was first observed by King George V of the United Kingdom on 7th November, 1919. I'm open to correction though.
Slamdunkin is correct; it also commemorates British troops that died in Ireland. That makes it very contentious.
That said I think it is shameful that we don't do something to remember the Irish men who dies in both wars.
 
Purple said:
I thought it was first observed by King George V of the United Kingdom on 7th November, 1919.
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My understanding was that while he was responsible for dedicating and naming the day in the UK, the tradition of selling poppies, as a charity for for needy ex servicemen and to commemorate the 'fallen', had already begun in the states in 1918 with Moira Michael (?), inspired by the poem "In Flanders' Fields".
 
Purple said:
Are you sure it started in the USA? I thought it was first observed by King George V of the United Kingdom on 7th November, 1919. I'm open to correction though.
Slamdunkin is correct; it also commemorates British troops that died in Ireland. That makes it very contentious.
That said I think it is shameful that we don't do something to remember the Irish men who dies in both wars.
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When we start to properly commemorate those who actually tried to free this country from British imperialism (sounds OTT sound its the only term I could think of!) then I am sure we could think about a way to commemorate Irishmen who needed a job or fooled into believing that if they did this then All-Ireland would autonomy - I include members of my own family in that.

I'll step down off my soapbox now and get back ot the subject in hand. I think what Caveat meant was it is used in Canada - dont think its the US - its mostly worned in Commonwealth countries. Full details here - interestingly I note that its states "Because the poppy honours soldiers in the British Army, in Northern Ireland it is worn primarily by members of the Unionist community" that kind of the point I was making in my first post.
 
slamdunkin said:
When we start to properly commemorate those who actually tried to free this country from British imperialism (sounds OTT sound its the only term I could think of!) then I am sure we could think about a way to commemorate Irishmen who needed a job or fooled into believing that if they did this then All-Ireland would autonomy - I include members of my own family in that.

I'll step down off my soapbox now and get back ot the subject in hand. I think what Caveat meant was it is used in Canada - dont think its the US - its mostly worned in Commonwealth countries. Full details here - interestingly I note that its states "Because the poppy honours soldiers in the British Army, in Northern Ireland it is worn primarily by members of the Unionist community" that kind of the point I was making in my first post.
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I'm not being picky but - see your link - the poem that it and my previous post refers to was by a Canadian, but, it was the American woman (who Wikipedia do not seem to mention) Moira Michael, who took inspiration and started the tradition in the U.S.

Whilst primarily the poppy is worn in British/Commonwealth countries, it most certainly is also worn in other countries - including, to this day, the USA.

On your other point, presumably those commemorated together with British soldiers and those of other nations are members of e.g. Islamic Jihad, the Nazi Party, the IRA...to name a few examples. Don't think anyone is excluded.
 
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