Eleven years ago, my dad's essay on why- despite being a veteran of World War Two, he refused to ever wear a poppy again for Remembrance Day was published.
Your father's essay made a big impression on me when I first read it, and I decided that I would no longer wear a poppy either. A few months ago I read a comment that said people are against all wars except the current one. That is certainly true of the war in Ukraine. Thanks to the media, especially the BBC, support for the war in Ukraine is almost fanatical. No one stops to consider the consequences - lots of dead and injured Ukrainians. Of course there are dead and wounded Russians too, but perhaps the fanatics don't care about them because they are 'the enemy'. As for Gaza, words fail me. Harry Patch descibed war as legalised murder. The slaughter in Gaza is neither war nor legal and yet the West stands by Israel and supplies all it can to enable the genocide to continue. The 'progressive country' to which your father referred no longer exists, except in the land of lost content.
Fresh out of the Christian Brothers Orphanage he enlisted in the army 1933. In 1935 he was in Spain for 8 months , shot through the arm and sent home. He enlisted in the RAF in 1937 and was demobbed in 1945. He spent most of the war in North Africa and Italy. He was wounded in the head during a strafing attack in his airfield.
He had nothing bad to say about his experience except the number of thieves who appeared after the War started.
His memories of his mates were pleasant ones. He saw the traces of civilization in North Africa and was impressed seeing Rome. He met men from around the World but lost touch with all of them. Probably because of the way demobilization was handled by the RAF - individually, through 'demobilization units'.
He refused to join any veterans' organizations , he claimed, because of 'the guff'.
He died at 64, without receiving a penny of service pension.
My father served in the RAF in North Africa too. They were guarded by Gurkhas and Dad was very impressed by their bravery. He didn't join any organisations either, and never wore his medals, but we always went to the Remembrance Day church service. He didn't say much about the war but I understood that the only way to honour the dead from the two world wars was to make sure that we didn't send future generations to their deaths.
I agree with your dad. Wearing the poppy has been cheapened into a mere gesture and loaded with jingoistic prejudice. Mutters of "poppy fascism" were heard some years back, and here we are at actual fascism again.
Wars are for exclusive benefit of an elite ultra wealthy Zionist presenting class. Germany was invaded 14 times the Christian was a non violent invasion although protestants stole trillions in monastery property that provided valuable public services. Rome , Huns, Charlemagne, poisoning f wells Black Death is proven fake and bold faithful went to church to pray than cowering. French kings, Hungarians, catholic armies, Austrian attempt fail and Russia attempt fail. The anti German war 9 trillion looting operation with the Versailles treaty 2 trillion and economic stagnation for the world and poor choices the windjammers was cheaper than bunker oil burning which cause cancer .
The veteran is attempting to push his sacrifice above those who resisted with violence imprisonment, death or sometimes faking illness and insanity or the choice of mutiny > not taken even though Germany could not conquer Canada in both wars due to air power in Canada and potential the rough land makes conquest impossible as casualties for Germans would be horrendous.
The Boer war was a Rothschild gold and diamond heist with concentration camps killing 30 000 women and children. Afghan war was for elite unknown ultra wealthy drug dealing and as an ex navy reservists the soldiers and sailors keep secrets for the benefit of soldier safety and technology or state finances as a code break grounds ships and new systems cost money. Sailors soldiers and officers do not keep corruption and crime secrets whether fellow soldiers and superiors or government corporate intel agencies to the soldier in group. They will not broadcast war corruption to civilians for reasons of budget and charity. A reference is healthmasters.com for drugs.
Canadian and allied occupation forces were looters of 7 trillion and blockades after conflict with Canadian ships ideal due to size starved 17 million to death. The antique trade is often stolen German goods and the famine induced as German immigrants were extremely willing to feed Germany forever but lacked forces to break the blockade. Much wealth went to shadow ultra wealthy by bargain asset purchase. Rapes were common on both fronts though allies did it by famines they caused gaining sex for candy bars.
War is thus elite felony with Zionist appearance and is a capitalist function which started after whaling when ancient laws on piracy and snatch slavery were discarded.
"Eleven years ago, my dad's essay on why- despite being a veteran of World War Two, he refused to ever wear a poppy again for Remembrance Day was published." Can you link the essay?
Ok, now I get it ... I lived in the UK for 16 years and always had mixed feelings about the poppies. Your dad expressed beautifully what I couldnt have put to words myself.
Your father's essay made a big impression on me when I first read it, and I decided that I would no longer wear a poppy either. A few months ago I read a comment that said people are against all wars except the current one. That is certainly true of the war in Ukraine. Thanks to the media, especially the BBC, support for the war in Ukraine is almost fanatical. No one stops to consider the consequences - lots of dead and injured Ukrainians. Of course there are dead and wounded Russians too, but perhaps the fanatics don't care about them because they are 'the enemy'. As for Gaza, words fail me. Harry Patch descibed war as legalised murder. The slaughter in Gaza is neither war nor legal and yet the West stands by Israel and supplies all it can to enable the genocide to continue. The 'progressive country' to which your father referred no longer exists, except in the land of lost content.
My dear old Dad did the whole trip during WW2.
Fresh out of the Christian Brothers Orphanage he enlisted in the army 1933. In 1935 he was in Spain for 8 months , shot through the arm and sent home. He enlisted in the RAF in 1937 and was demobbed in 1945. He spent most of the war in North Africa and Italy. He was wounded in the head during a strafing attack in his airfield.
He had nothing bad to say about his experience except the number of thieves who appeared after the War started.
His memories of his mates were pleasant ones. He saw the traces of civilization in North Africa and was impressed seeing Rome. He met men from around the World but lost touch with all of them. Probably because of the way demobilization was handled by the RAF - individually, through 'demobilization units'.
He refused to join any veterans' organizations , he claimed, because of 'the guff'.
He died at 64, without receiving a penny of service pension.
My father served in the RAF in North Africa too. They were guarded by Gurkhas and Dad was very impressed by their bravery. He didn't join any organisations either, and never wore his medals, but we always went to the Remembrance Day church service. He didn't say much about the war but I understood that the only way to honour the dead from the two world wars was to make sure that we didn't send future generations to their deaths.
He had no time for war, or warriors.
I agree with your dad. Wearing the poppy has been cheapened into a mere gesture and loaded with jingoistic prejudice. Mutters of "poppy fascism" were heard some years back, and here we are at actual fascism again.
Thank you for your honesty and moral clarity. Most of western capitals have lost their way..
A powerful truth. It should be widely published again.
I’m 65 and I e never worn a poppy. I think it’s morally wrong at anytime
Wars are for exclusive benefit of an elite ultra wealthy Zionist presenting class. Germany was invaded 14 times the Christian was a non violent invasion although protestants stole trillions in monastery property that provided valuable public services. Rome , Huns, Charlemagne, poisoning f wells Black Death is proven fake and bold faithful went to church to pray than cowering. French kings, Hungarians, catholic armies, Austrian attempt fail and Russia attempt fail. The anti German war 9 trillion looting operation with the Versailles treaty 2 trillion and economic stagnation for the world and poor choices the windjammers was cheaper than bunker oil burning which cause cancer .
The veteran is attempting to push his sacrifice above those who resisted with violence imprisonment, death or sometimes faking illness and insanity or the choice of mutiny > not taken even though Germany could not conquer Canada in both wars due to air power in Canada and potential the rough land makes conquest impossible as casualties for Germans would be horrendous.
The Boer war was a Rothschild gold and diamond heist with concentration camps killing 30 000 women and children. Afghan war was for elite unknown ultra wealthy drug dealing and as an ex navy reservists the soldiers and sailors keep secrets for the benefit of soldier safety and technology or state finances as a code break grounds ships and new systems cost money. Sailors soldiers and officers do not keep corruption and crime secrets whether fellow soldiers and superiors or government corporate intel agencies to the soldier in group. They will not broadcast war corruption to civilians for reasons of budget and charity. A reference is healthmasters.com for drugs.
Canadian and allied occupation forces were looters of 7 trillion and blockades after conflict with Canadian ships ideal due to size starved 17 million to death. The antique trade is often stolen German goods and the famine induced as German immigrants were extremely willing to feed Germany forever but lacked forces to break the blockade. Much wealth went to shadow ultra wealthy by bargain asset purchase. Rapes were common on both fronts though allies did it by famines they caused gaining sex for candy bars.
War is thus elite felony with Zionist appearance and is a capitalist function which started after whaling when ancient laws on piracy and snatch slavery were discarded.
"Eleven years ago, my dad's essay on why- despite being a veteran of World War Two, he refused to ever wear a poppy again for Remembrance Day was published." Can you link the essay?
below the photo is his essay.
Ok, now I get it ... I lived in the UK for 16 years and always had mixed feelings about the poppies. Your dad expressed beautifully what I couldnt have put to words myself.