Over the years I have written a few posts on past
Remembrance Days …
White Peace Poppy
… this year I am concentrating on the white poppy –
the emblem of peace … in today’s world an appropriate remembrance to hold in
our hearts.
White Wreath for Peace at the
Cenotaph, Whitehall, London: 2018
Michael Morpurgo – the Children’s author – decided to
wear a white poppy alongside the British Legion’s red one … symbolising those
who fought, were injured, or sadly died for us in war … keeping us safe …
… stating that the white poppy is for our peace … as
today remembrance is changing, and will change, as the decades pass since those
two world wars.
Michael Morpurgo – best known for his children’s
novels such as War Horse and the film …
First edition of his novel
War Horse
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
37 comments:
At 11 am this morning, the 11th day of the 11th month, many stood silently for a minute to remember Armistice Day and the end of the worst war ever known. The shrine would normally have been crowded by thousands of ordinary families, but because of the pandemic, only a few dozen masked dignitaries were allowed to honour the WW1 generation.
The poppies are wonderful.
Thank you. I always learn from you, and this post is no exception.
I hadn't heard of The White Poppy and love. Peace is most definitely something to aspire to.
I once heard Michael Morpurgo speak, when he visited Melbourne. A fascinating man!
i was unaware of the white poppy, Hilary, and I applaud its purpose. Whether we can ever look forward to a period without wars is another matter entirely, and whether - especially in some nations - we will cease ranking military might above all else. The war to end all wars did not do so obviously, and just thirty-one short years later we were back at it again. We don't remember the Wars of the Roses on Remembrance Day, do we, so it begs the question of how distant the memory has to be before public remembrance ceases? How sweet it would be if war was such a distant concept that remembrance was no longer necessary. I suspect that Syrian refugees, or besieged Yemenis, or Armenians might tell you that the day is a long way off.
Hari Om
I too applaud the concept... I truly honour the fallen and their sacrifice, but am concerned at the keeping of this 'tradition' as a holding on to ideas of glory and the white poppy helps to redress that. Remembrance without 'rarara'... YAM xx
I didn't know about white poppies, Hilary. Thank you for that. I can't think of a better way to honor the veterans of previous wars than to maintain the peace they fought to establish.
I like the white poppy - any sign of peace please. And I give honor to your veterans on your Remembrance Day, as we fly the flag on our Veteran's Day.
War House was a very dramatic play to see - an excellent story.
Perfect focus for this day. Peace.
Hopefully, more white poppies will appear in years to come. Peace has never been more important.
I've heard of the white poppy before, but not seen any around here. Red poppies very much in evidence everywhere, though. I was surprised to find that Remembrance Day is a national holiday here in Canada, which it's not in the UK.
@ Hels – yes we’ve been having small gatherings here – it was also the year that the Unknown Warrior was buried 100 years ago in Westminster Abbey. So there have been commemorative services in Westminster Abbey, at the Cenotaph, and other places … and down here along the coast.
@ EC – thank you … I wouldn’t have known about the White Poppy or its meaning – there is more significance to it – until I walked along the front yesterday with some friends and we ‘met’ some other friends with the white poppy brooch. So I didn’t know til yesterday: I was meant to write the post about it …
@ Sue – yes I’ve only heard him on tv … but yes a highly intelligent and interesting man … but loved War Horse – the puppets were so clever …
@ David – there’s a bit more to the history than I gave – but I felt Peace at the moment was what was called for … as well as Remembrance Day itself. Up until yesterday morning I’d not realised the importance of the White Poppy … more than Peace …
We seem to be ingrained with remembering who served during both World Wars, as we (of the west) tend to call them. At least it makes us think of those times and perhaps remember our relatives and friends …
… but you’re right – what about all the wars over time – but that was only a civil war – and in a divided nation … not an all encompassing war – which nearly included the whole world …
… the present conflicts are so terrible for the displaced of all races and countries around the world – there are far too many refugees or peoples discriminated against or put upon … we do not live in easy times … we need peace.
@ Yam – yes the white poppy deflects a little from the red – yet it has another sobering story – which thankfully is turning to Peace. I think the gatherings bring the nation together, getting us all to remember those we have lost … and I do love the music and sentiment …
@ Dan – I wouldn’t have known except for a chance encounter on the seafront yesterday … but the concept of Peace in present times seemed to make sense. While the joining together of the white and the red poppies does make sense …
@ Joanne – yes I agree any sign of peace for always … and I see you’ve been doing the same or similar. Thank you - War Horse – brought something of it home for us … a really sad movie …
@ Holly – it seemed to fit our needs for 2020 …
@ Keith – I’m sure more white poppies will appear – as you rightly say Peace has never been more important … and understanding of each other will help too .
@ Keith - thank you ... I was aware that red poppies were 'everywhere' when I was over in Cobble Hill. I think we stopped the National Holiday at the beginning of WW2 - because we needed production to keep going .. and it was then that Remembrance Sunday came into play - the nearest Sunday to the 11th ... I had a quick look to clarify this ...
It’s a special Day today … we mustn’t forget, yet understand other aspects of War too … Have Peace - Hilary
I think there is also a purple poppy to remember the animals who served.
I remember... We all need to, WWI and II and all the wars that took dear hearts from us, but for a reason. War Horse--is that the inspiration for the movie (can't remember it's name)? It was wonderful.
Thank you for the poppies and the remembrance.
I, too, am used to seeing the red poppies at this time. The white poppy as a symbol of remembrance is a welcome addition.
A lovely memoriam, Hil.
May we not forget.
We should never forget
I have never heard of the white poppy of remembrance.
A wonderful post.
“Lest We Forget.”
Lovely post Hilary. I'd never heard of the white poppy, but I love the meaning for what it symbolizes. God bless the troops everywhere! <3
Good to know.
Lest we forget.
@ Anabel – yes you’re right … I was going to write about them, but when I found out about the white one … at this time I thought it was more appropriate …
@ Jacqui – as you say … we all need to remember. War Horse the film and the play from the book were both inspirational …
@ Tyrean – good to see you …
@ Rhonda – yes … it is usually the red poppies with an occasional white, or purple one …
@ Sandra – many thanks – we must never forget …
@ Jo-Anne – yes we must remember …
@ Dixie – great to see you here … I was so pleased to find out about the white poppy – especially in these times …
@ Debby – thank you … I was pleased to find out about the white poppy and its symbolism.
@ Liz – thank you …
@ Donna – we will not forget …
Stay safe everyone, with peace - Hilary
I love this post, Hilary. As a military family, this means so much. Thank you!
Warmly,
Elsie
102 years. It hardly seems possible. I read so many stories of both wars that they seem very real and close to me, still. Hard to fathom the long passage of time.
We get a lot of questions here in Mexico about the poppy we wear near our heart. The Americans are surprised to learn that they too wore them after WW1.
@ Elsie - thank you - I can understand that coming from a military family this will resonate.
@ Deniz - I know 102 years ... it does seem 'so close' yet so much has happened in that time span - and yes isn't it challenging to think about.
@ Joylene - I too learn so much from blogging ... and so appreciate what I've learnt - which has led me on to other newer learning.
Thanks to you for coming over to comment - love seeing you here ... and appreciate your thoughts - stay safe - Hilary
A very informative post from you, Hilary, as always.
The sacrifices of soldiers who fight to safeguard certain values of the civilised values are monumental. Europe has seen so much strife in the last century. It's only appropriate that we remember the valiant efforts of the soldiers.
@ Pradeep - good to see you ... it was meant as an extension to those sacrifices so many made in all the wars ... services and the people in the country ... so peace seemed a sensible approach to this year's Remembrance thoughts. Thank you for your thoughts ... stay safe - Hilary
Remembrance day was quiet here and only 20 of us at the memorial but so glad we went and the mayor thanked us for showing up. Now I have not heard of the white poppy, so as always I learnt something from you. In France, of course, it is the cornflower, bleuet de France. Then there is the purple poppy to commemorate animals which served during conflicts.
Keep safe and have a good day, Diane
I think it's right that Remembrance should change and help to bring about future peace, as well as remembering those who lost their lives in war.
I hadn't heard of the white poppy. They are beautiful and I love their purpose.
I didn't know about the white poppy either, Hilary. I love the red ones and they alway remind me of WWI too, even thought they flower in May. Lets keep both colours in our hearts.
I have to say I didn't know about the white poppy and its significance. Happy to be educated.
@ Diane – yes our Remembrance Day was quiet … so pleased you went and joined the local community. I’m delighted I found out about the White Poppy – so many of us hadn’t heard about it. There is the Purple Poppy too for the animals – which I was going to write up – til I heard about the white one.
@ Patsy – I agree … we need to change and then we can keep people and peace to the forefront … in this day and age much more appropriate …
@ Chrys – thanks – so pleased I’ve posted up the White Poppy … as I hadn’t realised their significance either …
@ Val – thanks as I mention the White Poppy wasn’t known to me either. We will I’m sure remember all three … red, purple and white …
@ Nick – like me too … and I enjoyed finding out about the White Poppy … so I’m glad you appreciated the post …
Take care all of you – we need to stay safe - Hilary
Remembering with reverence is always of the highest important to do!! Even with the circumstances of a pandemic, we can still find ways to do so, as you have done so eloquently here.
That is a thoughtful post. I did not know about the white poppy. This First World War was horrible. My grandfather was in that war effort, my father in WW2 (and handicapped for life) and my late husband was a veteran. I was quite upset when I read in a French newspaper in 2018 that President Trump had refused to visit the Aisne-Marne American WW1 cemetery while in France because it was raining and it would mess up his hair. Then talking about the 1800 US marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood he said they had been losers and suckers. That was reported in the US news in 2020 but I read it in a French newspaper, in French, in 2018 (I even mentioned it in a post at the time.) Simply disgusting.
@ Rosey - thank you ... I like taking a different approach to things ... and I'd only just learnt about the white poppy. Appreciate your thoughts.
@ Vagabonde - good to see you ... it seems the white poppy is unknown - but I think now it's appropriate to today's age. I know too many grandparents went through WW1 and then parents in WW2 - too many dying, or being severely injured - we're lucky we are able to live as we do today ... while it shows due respect and compassion - our leaders need to set good examples, which others follow.
Thanks for being here - stay safe - Hilary
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