Richard Littledale's
Views on the News: November 2007

Poppy Man

Remember ....and how

Poppy Man Photoalbum on Flickr Blog on Blogspot

Poppy day is changing. Once upon a time it was all about elderly gentlemen with greying hair and bright medals, or so it seemed. Now it's about young men returning home from an unpopular war to an uncertain welcome. Once upon a time it was all Dame Vera Lynn and arty photos of Northern France, now it's about Poppy Man and virtual poppies on Facebook (of which more below)

Of course, providing you think Remembrance is a good thing, these changes are to be welcomed. If the British Legion are to engage the interest and support of a younger generation, then they have to ring the changes. The focus this year on the young families of young soldiers killed in recent conflicts is bound to pluck the heartstrings of even the sternest critic. You don't have to support the war in Iraq or elsewhere to believe that the families of those bereaved should be cared for in the hardest of times. Of course, if you are opposed to remembrance and all it stands for, then these changes are regrettable. After all, you would presumably prefer that this awkward moment in national life slipped into anachronistic obscurity, rather than reinventing itself to stay relevant.

In the main, it is a good thing to remember past deeds and sacrifices, whether you believe them to have been in vain or for good. After all, the laying down of human life should never be taken lightly, and we do well to remember it. Remembering the deeds of the past runs deep in some religious communities - whether it is the Jews with their annual festivals or the Roman Catholics with their saints' days. These are ways of appreciating the past, the better to embrace the future. In the days of the Old Testament God instituted the festival of the Passover, so that his people should always remember how much they owed their freedom to him.

Talking of the future - what of this brave new world of virtual poppies? Users of the online community Facebook can this year send each other virtual poppies - which can then be displayed on their web space. Although this raises no money for the Poppy Appeal - it does raise awareness. To date 7500 people have displayed a poppy. Presumably the next stage is that the virtual inhabitants of computer worlds such a Second Life will display a virtual poppy on their virtual lapels. In terms of engaging the interest of another generation, this has to be a good thing. However, I feel that there is something important about a public display of what you believe - visible not only to the virtual community. Perhaps its something to do with being a Christian and believing that my good deeds should be 'seen so that others can glorify the father in heaven'. If you are going to wear a virtual poppy - why not wear a real one too? After all - the Appeal depends on real money!