Right, a disclaimer.  I have utter respect and gratitude to those who serve in the armed forces. It is something I would and could not ever do, so I am glad that they exist to protect me, my family and my friends from whatever threats there are out there. There is something inherently sad about how they are always young men, sent to their potential deaths by old men, but that is another topic altogether. I may not agree with the actions of these old men, and their rampant need to spread their idea of democracy, but that in no way should reflect negatively on those who serve. Those who believe they are doing the right thing for others.

However, my respect for them, is just that, mine. People are wholly entitled to their own opinion. I have friends who abhor the armed forces. They find their actions fuelled by greed, and they cannot separate those who serve, with those in command. They find their rampant need to spread ‘democracy’ crass and misguided. The thing is, they are entitled to that opinion. They find the fact that we even need an army galling.

Which brings me to the issue that I have with the humble poppy. I have no issue with those who wear them. In fact, I wear one (I bought a pin badge version), because I believe the sacrifices made by those in the world wars should be remembered. There is a solemnity about the ceremony at the Cenotaph that we rarely get to see in a mass way in this country. What I can’t abide however is the fact that people are almost press ganged into it wearing one.

Newsreaders don’t wear any other charity symbol through out the year, regardless of cause. They don’t wear the Aids ribbon. They don’t wear the NSPCC full stop badge, but it is alright for them to wear the poppy. Those who say it is a ‘British’ thing, and linked to our identity. Last time I checked, the NSPCC protected ‘British’ children, is that a less important than the dead? Oh but they protect and support current forces I hear you cry. Well if that is the case, then it ceases to be a charity logo, and instead becomes a political symbol. Because there are a lot of people out there who see the British armed forces as nothing more than an oppressing force.

I have a deep hatred of Nationalism and papers like the Daily Express, because often the very ideals that many countries are founded on, are ignored due to some misguided need for purity or other such ridiculous ideas. That and it pre-supposes that one piece of dirt upon which some apes lives, is better than another. Yet these people found it absolutely repugnant that FIFA would have the audacity to enforce their rule of NO POLITICAL SYMBOLS on the shirts of nations.

So what did the British do? They got Prince William, lovely, bland Prince William to write to the ‘FIFA fat cats’ to ask them to reconsider. They found a compromise, allowing the poppy on the player’s black armband, but not on the shirt. Everyone seemed thoroughly pleased with this, and so the whole thing all but disappeared. As one Guardian journalist tweeted after the decision: This is why England will never get to host the World Cup again.

But there is another side to this whole thing which I don’t like, and it is the sense that everyone should buy one, wear one, and if they don’t, they are some kind of scumbag. And if you don’t have one, what is wrong with you?! What? You don’t like ver army? You fink vey ain’t important? Vey fought in the war for us!  Well as I mentioned earlier, there are lots of people who don’t think they are important. It is a personal choice, as with all things.

I will leave you with one of the most wonderful tributes to those who gave their lives. One of the finest pieces of writing of all time, and one which shows the madness of war and what we are remembering tomorrow.  

- Anand