Remember

It is that time of year again when people are wearing a poppy.  The tradition began way back in 1920 when the very first poppy was used by the American Legion to commemorate American soldiers who had died in the 1914-18 war.  It was then adopted by the UK and some other Commonwealth countries, notably Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  The whole idea of using a poppy was based on the poem 'In Flanders Field' written on May 3rd 1915 by the Canadian surgeon and soldier John McCrae.  He wrote it after witnessing the death of his friend in a field in Flanders.  He noticed how the poppies grew up around the soldiers who lay there having sacrificed their lives on the battle field.  And so the poppy, a wild flower growing in the fields came to symbolise the sacrifices of war.  Nowadays in the UK it is the symbol of the British Legion and their appeal as a charity for much needed funds to help soldiers and families affected by conflict.

Over the years there have been a number of different versions of the simple poppy.  This year there seems to be a great number of quite large poppies, still to be worn on the lapel.  Also there are ever more elaborate ones with crystals used more as jewellery and also enamel brooches and pins.  I don't know why people cannot just use the humble poppy as before.  Is it for some sort of attention seeking where they are noticed for having a really large version?  Has it become more of a fashion accessory?  Is it that it looks as though they are more patriotic than the rest who wear the simple poppy?  It would seem that their contribution is therefore bigger than that of others - except that for many of the most expensive ones only a small percentage of the price actually goes to the charity.  There is a danger that the whole idea of remembering those who have sacrificed much has been somewhat side-lined and overshadowed by a personal effort to 'look good' and be well thought of.  
  

There are varying views of the wearing of the poppy.  Some feel that it glorifies war and prefer to use the white poppy that is a symbol of peace.  There is also a purple poppy to commemorate animals that have died in conflicts.  I remember a dear uncle, a wonderful Christian man, who was taken prisoner by the Japanese during WWII and forced to work on the Siam railway.  He never wanted to talk about those war days or his memories saying that war makes people on both sides do some dreadful things.  Harry Patch, the last veteran of the 1914-18 war is quoted to have said that war is 'organised murder'.  Many who come back from a war zone traumatised and wounded, often just want to forget the dreadful experiences they have had and try to find some closure and healing in order to rebuild their lives.  Do we do them more harm than good by reminding them?  And why are soldiers and their families who have carried out their patriotic duty, then be expected to depend on public donations and the excellent work of charities like the British Legion?  It is so easy to get carried away on some 'patriotic' wave of 'supporting our heroes' and forget the real horrors of war for not just our own soldiers but their families and the innocent who get caught up in such terrible conflicts.  Who can forget the image of 9 year old Vietnamese Kim Phuc fleeing from an attack of napalm by the Americans?  When are we going to learn that such violence causes so much suffering on both sides of a conflict?  I for one was very pleased that quite recently the UK parliament voted not to get involved in the war in Syria and, although I don't often agree with his politics, I take my hat off to David Cameron for accepting the decision and not trying to convince MPs to change their vote, even though he may have been criticised on the world stage. 

Nations and frontiers are man-made.  God made earth as one.  So this weekend as we remember, let's think of the bigger picture of all who have suffered.  We need seriously to search for ways to stop war by peaceful means or the sacrifice of those who have given their all will be for nothing - such a waste of life potential.  What is the point of remembering if we learn nothing from the past?  Remember not just for the sake of remembering and because it seems like the patriotic thing to do, but in order to learn lessons to build a better future.  The words of John Lennon come to mind, 'Imagine all the people living life in peace.'  Like Martin Luther King Jnr. - I have a dream!