“The significance of today is to remember the fallen. Those who have fought and lost their lives for the freedom and privilege that we have today”

There are three types of poppy-wearers in this country. Those who wear it because everybody else is and they want to be considered ‘respectful’. Those who wear it because the red flower goes good with their outfit. And then there are those who wear it because they truly understand the significance of remembrance. Remembrance for those many brave soldiers –humans just like us – who put their life on the line so that we are able to live the way we do today. We all have the ability be that type of poppy-wearer. With just a little bit of knowledge, and a lot of compassion.

Every year Remembrance Day is a magnificent and memorable occasion and this year was no disappointment. From priests and young scouts laying wreaths to us singing hymns and the national anthem, this year’s remembrance memorial service in Wood Green was outstanding. It may have been cold outside, but the love in our hearts was enough to warm us up. Cheesy – I know. But such a special occasion, it's enough to make you start welling up, especially if you have family in the army. Taking a look at people’s faces during that 2 minute silence and seeing the emotions written over their face. Pain, sadness and grief. Along with praise, compassion and love.

11th November, 1918. 11 Am. Armistice day, or more commonly known as, Remembrance day. That was the day- the very minute- that the agreement to end the fighting on the Western front was signed. But why do we mark this occasion with a poppy? Well, the red poppy naturally grows in conditions where Earth has been disturbed throughout Western Europe. After World War 1 ended, the poppy was the only thing to grow over the barren field. But it wasn’t until a Canadian surgeon, John McCrae, wrote a poem called Flanders Fields, that the poppy was considered a symbol to commemorate the soldiers who died in World War 1 and later conflicts. Since that day, the poppy has been worn by nations of people. Who knew such a tiny, red flower could have a seed full of memories waiting to sprout.

 A single red poppy is stained with the blood of a single brave soldier. Only a boy at that time. Likely, no older that 18. Joining the army was nothing more than a death sentence, rather than a privilege. In August 1914, Lord Kitchener, the secretary for state of war, realised that Britain needed a bigger army. He created a new volunteer army called ‘Kitchener’s Army’, which were accepting men who were 18 and over. At first, it was just posters stuck on shop windows with the words, “YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!” Men felt proud to fight for their country. Some even lied about their age just so they could call themselves heroes. Boys as young as 13 were sent to war. 13 years old.

The government started getting more and more desperate for people to join. In 1916, there was a new law that men had to join whether they wanted to or not. Refusal meant they would spend their life in prison. An almost impossible ultimatum that these young boys were forced into making. Even men who couldn’t fight for religious reasons were still sent to war, but they were made to do manual jobs. There was no escaping it. You were either a soldier or a coward.

Enough with the history lesson –what has this got to do with our generation.  Today, gratitude is something that doesn’t seem to exist. We tend to ignore the things that we have and protest on everything that’s wrong with our country. Housing, healthcare and education. Things that we might not even have if it wasn’t for those brave soldiers of World War 1. This isn’t a butterfly effect in history, this is fact. We would not have the things we do today if it wasn’t for the heroic and fearless soldiers who put their life on the line for this country. But who did they really put their lives on the line for? An ungrateful bunch of people, who complain and fight and don’t even bother to pin a poppy onto them for a month? Or did they put their lives on the line for a nation filled with love and who are thankful for everything that they have. A nation who celebrate and have memorials in their name. That’s the nation that I want us to be. And I’m sure you do too.

Our young men today have to option to say no. We could be anything we want to be. A doctor, a teacher, a writer. We could be a soldier too, but only if we want to be. If you want to show your appreciation, the simplest thing you can do is wear a poppy. You can go to your local supermarket and they’ll have it. It will either be free or you will have to pay a small price for it, where that money will go to the Poppy Appeal charity. Let the poppy be a badge of honour instead of a petty flower.

By Camay Davis-McAuley, City and Islington College