Wear Your Poppy With Pride.

No - never heard of it until now! Will check it out sometime soon.

 

<o>
</o>
WEAR A POPPY<o></o>
By Don Crawford<o></o>
<o></o>
"Please wear a poppy", the lady said<o></o>
And held one forth, but I shook my head.<o></o>
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,<o></o>
And her face was old and lined with care;<o></o>
But beneath the scars the years had made<o></o>
There remained a smile that refused to fade.<o></o>
<o></o>
A boy came whistling down the street,<o></o>
Bouncing along on carefree feet.<o></o>
His smile was full of joy and fun,<o></o>
"Lady", said he, "may I have one"?<o></o>
When she'd pinned it on he turned to say,<o></o>
"Why do we wear a poppy today"?<o></o>
<o></o>
The lady smiled in her wistful way<o></o>
And answered, "This is Remembrance Day,<o></o>
And the poppy there is the symbol for<o></o>
The gallant men who died in war.<o></o>
And because they did, you and I are free –<o></o>
That's why we wear a poppy, you see.
<o></o>
"I had a boy about your size,<o></o>
With golden hair and big blue eyes.<o></o>
He loved to play and jump and shout,<o></o>
Free as a bird he would race about.<o></o>
As the years went by he learned and grew<o></o>
and became a man – as you will, too.<o></o>
<o></o>
"He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,<o></o>
But he'd seemed with us such a little while.<o></o>
When war broke out and he went away<o></o>
I still remember his face that day.<o></o>
When he smiled at me and said, Goodbye,<o></o>
I'll be back soon, Mum, so please don't cry.<o></o>
<o></o>
"But the war went on and he had to stay,<o></o>
And all I could do was wait and pray.<o></o>
His letters told of the awful fight,<o></o>
(I can see it still in my dreams at night).<o></o>
With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,<o></o>
And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire<o></o>
<o></o>
"Till at last, at last, the war was won –<o></o>
And that's why we wear a poppy son".<o></o>
The small boy turned as if to go,<o></o>
Then said, "Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know.<o></o>
That sure did sound like an awful fight,<o></o>
But your son – did he come back all right"?<o></o>
<o></o>
A tear rolled down each faded cheek,<o></o>
She shook her head, but didn't speak.<o></o>
I slunk away in a sort of shame,<o></o>
And if you were me you'd have done the same,<o></o>
For our thanks, in giving, if oft delayed,<o></o>
Though our freedom was bought – and<o></o>
Thousands paid!<o></o>
<o></o>
And so when we see a poppy worn,<o></o>
Let us reflect on the burden borne,<o></o>
By those who gave their very all.<o></o>
When asked to answer their country's call<o></o>
That we at home in peace might live.<o></o>
Then wear a poppy! Remember – and give!<o></o>
<o></o>

 

Have finished my two week,s selling poppy,s for the R.B.L. , had help one day was a army cadet next was an Air traing corps cadet , had agreat time with them over that time . Now back to daily routine and polishing shoe,s for next year.
I allways carry a poppy in jacket pocket.

raider........for our tomorrow they gave there todat

 

Whole pile of contacts here mate;

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/contact/Contact-Us-509170.shtml



PM me your address and I'll send you a pair.

cheers,





Had a friend in Canada mail a bagfull last year.

I have been planting them in the different Cemeteries I have visited
in France, Italy and Switzerland.
Burying them so the groundskeepers will never see them or remove them.
Hopefully, they will really stay there forever.

 

I have always bought and worn a poppy

 

Veterans launch Northern Ireland's Poppy Appeal 2019:
World War Two veterans in their 100s launch NI Poppy Appeal