Today is Armistice Day. Rememberance Sunday is not until the 13th November, but today is Armistice Day. (Edited to add: In BRITAIN, I am aware that other countries call these days different things, but I'm talking about my country). It is traditional in Britain to buy a paper and plastic poppy in November to wear as a sign of rememberance of those who fought and died for us in the wars, the profits from the sales are donated to The Poppy Appeal - a charity helping all those who have fought in a war and need support of any description. I do not always support the wars in which my country entangles itself, but I do admire and respect deeply the men and women who fight in those wars. They do not have a say over the politics of the situation, yet they put their lives in danger to keep our country safe - they have my upmost respect.
I always buy and wear a poppy, but they are not very ecologically sound and they generally fall out of my coat button hole and disappear so I decided I would make one this year. I used this excellent tutorial, although mine wasn't quite as successful!
I used wool felt and sewed a brooch back on the rear as neatly as I could, despite noone ever seeing it!
Rest assured, ladies and gentlemen, I am not taking from the charity in making and wearing my own poppy, I do intend to donate to each poppy seller that I see, as I do every year.
I realised when I started writing this post that I'm not sure if the poppy worn on Armistice Day is a purely British tradition - do you do this in your country too?
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Laurence Binyon
10 comments:
In Australia, 11th September is known as Remembrance Day. Sprigs of rosemary or poppies are sometimes worn. The RSL sells poppies.
What a beautiful post. I love your handmade poppy, very pretty. I have utmost respect and deep admiration for the men and women who go to war too, even if I don't agree with the politics around it. I felt your post expressed this really beautifully. Em x
Yes, today was Remembrance Day here in Australia, (11th) and poppies are still sold, with the proceeds used for the returned service people and their families.
Always brings back memories of my childhood as my sister and I used to sell the poppies on the Saturday morning before the 11th. And reminds me how much I miss my Dad.
Ah wikipedia disagrees with you but rememberance sunday would have to be a different date each year. Is it a recent thing? I am from england and didnt know about it. Did you see my poppy quilt and the song? http://quokkaquilts.blogspot.com/2011/11/tgiff-black-n-white-and-red-all-over.html :)
And pam is confusing september with november. Prob mistyped because it was definitely on here today!
Hi Laura,
I did email you, but incase other people think the same way, I just wanted to show you that Wikipedia actually does agree with me http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Sunday
Your poppy is lovely - a great tribute. I've seen a lot more people with homemade poppies this year and meant to crochet one myself. In the end I ran out of time and ended up buying the usual paper one.
In NZ we celebrate ANZAC day (25th April) far more than rememberance day and poppies are worn then instead. It's been very strange wandering around Wales these past few days and seeing poppies everywhere, it feels like the wrong time of year to me!
I love your handmade poppy. Here in Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion sells plastic poppies with a flocked finish and a black felt centre. It is supposed to attach with a straight pin that is slightly bent at the top. This leads to being scratched, poked and prodded. It is a national obsession to devise ways to keep the poppy on your coat and not be injured. This year, I sewed mine onto my coat with a bead in the centre of the felt. I always cry at Remembrance Day services. We observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on November 11 in honour of those who gave their lives so we could live in peace and freedom.
The poppy is beautiful! Such a great way to remember those who have fought for us. Lovely! Also, I would love for you to share this at my friday link party. Its new so I would love to have you link up :)
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