In London recently, see the pic below taken in Hyde Park and note the red poppy in my shirt (which I received by making a donation to the Royal British Legion).
I just happened to be in London for Remembrance Day though I had not thought of that when making my plans. Anyway, I visited Trafalgar Square on Saturday the 8th and a statue of a soldier, within a glass case, was set up with paper poppies blowing about within the enclosed structure. The soldier was represented in a WW1 uniform. It was a somewhat moving experience for me because my Great Uncle, Fred Thompson, was in France during the Great War. I remember visiting his home often and he had much memorabilia, including some rifles, which he had brought back from France.
British Legion Link below:
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/abou...ce-sunday-2014
Why the Poppies? See link below
http://www.greatwar.co.uk/poems/john...ers-fields.htm
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In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
by John McCrae, May 1915
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We should always remember and honor those that sacrificed the most.