I’m astounded at the sheer depth of ignorance and disrespect. And especially because this very thing happened last year to widespread Montreal outcry. This year, the fire of public backlash was doused almost immediately. As soon as the vaguest whisper of it began, officials blurted out an apology, threw open the doors to poppy sales and whipped together a very nice PR move in the form of a sizable donation to the veterans. Of course, you can sell poppies here, they said. It was all a miscommunication. They each had their reasons.
The veterans accepted the apology much more graciously than I can. Too little too late, I say. Suuure, it's totally understandable that you'd overlook the importance of a tradition that's been happening oh, only about 90 years. It's not like it's carved into our national identity or anything. After all, it's not like anyone died is it?
I remember when this very thing happened last year, someone theorized that the reason veterans are routinely turned away is because people in management positions are younger now. They are of a different generation and the gravity of what war represents isn't that fresh in their minds. What a load. Fresh in their minds? Afghanistan ring a bell? It’s a weak argument to say youth negates respect.There are children participating in Remembrance Day ceremonies in recent years who have lost immediate relatives. They get it. Why can't a company run by actual adults grasp the concept?
I've also heard this: Remembrance Day is just not that important to the Francophones in Quebec. Really? Tell that to the Courcy family from St. Hyacinthe or the Audets from Montreal or the Renauds from Alma - who all lost loved ones in the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Tell that to the families of the 24 other fallen Quebecers. And the many more praying for their sons and daughters to come home safely.
A poppy isn't a meaningless accessory. It's a symbol of support, of thanks - a quiet offering of respect and pride and peace. -
I really want to know what goes through the mind of the decision-makers who say no to the annual poppy campaign. Hey guys, thanks for the personal sacrifice and the bravery and the freedom and all that, but we need to make room for our pre-Christmas sales. Mind-boggling. A poppy isn't a meaningless accessory. It's a symbol of support, of thanks - a quiet offering of respect and pride and peace. It’s the very reason any of us are free to even pursue our livelihoods in the first place.
It's so disheartening that there should be a seemingly yearly struggle for our veterans to set up shop and sell poppies. It’s important to all of us and to our history that we are reminded of what November 11th means. We should be proud that our veterans want to be out there in the first place. Still fighting in their own way even now to make sure we don’t bury our history under present-day trivialities.
To those jerks whose immediate reaction was to deny our vets the opportunity – you need to grow a conscience, step out of your corner office for a few moments and talk to a veteran this year. Maybe even buy a poppy and have them pin it on your lapel.
In all honesty, as much as I’d love for that to happen I can’t help but secretly hope they miss a few times with that pin.
Good article Nat, Take those office rats and put them next to a firing range and have them see how it feels to have live ammunition going off all around, never mind bombs exploding. They would probably crap in their pants. These soldiers risked their lives more than once in the different wars. Sure they eventually made it home but how many also suffer mental distress as well as physical damage. All they want is to sell the poppies to supplement those vets that need more help. They fought to defend their country cause it was their duty. We owe them big time. To me they are and always will be true heroes. They should have the freedom to sell the poppies and whatever hell else they want.