Sir, – On the streets and shops of Dublin and Wicklow, I have come across numerous people wearing the poppy.
Is this a sign that we, as a nation, are at long last remembering to remember? – Yours, etc,
DAVID WALSH,
Dublin 8.
A chara, – There is a long-running misunderstanding in this country as to the meaning and purpose of the poppy appeal.
On its website the Royal British Legion, which organises the appeal, sets out the purpose of wearing the poppy: "The poppy is a powerful symbol. It is worn to commemorate the sacrifices of our [British] Armed Forces and to show support to those still serving today and their loved ones. Money raised through the poppy appeal goes directly to our welfare work providing through-life care to anyone who is currently serving in the British Armed Forces, who has previously served, and their families."
The poppy is not to commemorate the war dead of all nations. Much less is it a symbol of peace. This is a partisan British Army charity. The British Army has not been free of war crimes and outrages, even in recent times.
We have our own Army of which we can be proud and our own veterans who need support. Support a foreign army if you will, but be honest about it. – Is mise,
DÁITHÍ Mac CÁRTHAIGH,
Baile Átha Cliath 7.
Sir, – Anyone who wants to honour fallen British soldiers should do so. Maybe in some rarefied parts of Ireland, where the BBC is the first channel on the list, and the latest exploits of the British royals are discussed with glee, it seems like a perfectly normal thing to do. But I would ask that people consider the offence they might cause to those who have lost loved ones to British Army bullets and bombs. – Yours, etc,
JOHN TEMPLE,
Dromiskin, Co Louth.
Sir, – The poppy, as used and sold by the Royal British Legion, is only to remember British military war dead. It is not sold to remember the war dead of any other country, nor of any civilians anywhere. It has strong links with the British state and establishment; the poppy appeal this year was launched at GCHQ Cheltenham, the British high-tech intelligence and spy centre. It also has strong links with the British military-industrial complex as a lot of funding comes from arms companies. – Yours, etc,
ROB FAIRMICHAEL,
Belfast.