Well said Drax.
When the idea of the 'poppies' was originally developed it was to remember those men and women who gave their lives to protect the world from tyranny and genocide in two world wars. Many volunteered to go and fight, many were conscripted and had no choice, but nevertheless went to do their duty. Others, men and women, were in reserved occupations and could not serve in the forces, but nevertheless put in a tremendous effort to keep our troops supplied with weapons and to keep the country fed and defended on home soil. And it is only right that we should continue to remember their sacrifice. But they were fighting for freedom, which includes freedom of choice - which, I guess includes the freedom not to wear a poppy over an ever-increasing period of time. We surely don't want to get to the position where people wear poppies in order to avoid being judged by others, who do not know their circumstances, rather than as a genuine gesture of empathy with those who need support. To try to bully or shame people into wearing poppies has, for me, shades of the days when white feathers were given to men who appeared to be fit, but not in uniform - despite the fact that many were in reserved occupations, suffering from unseen injuries (physical and mental). So let's celebrate the fact that we have lived our lives in freedom and are free to make that choice.
