Remembering

'Lest we forget' is the phrase we always associate with Remembrance Day, and it is worth considering once again what it is that we remember. Although the World Wars are inextricably linked with poppies in many peoples minds, the poppy is also meant to symbolise those who were lost or maimed in other conflicts around the world, from the Falklands to Afghanistan. As such, the poppy should not be politicised, should not be a matter of debate for FIFA or those with a political agenda of any hue. The poppy is a symbol of (mostly) young men cut down in their prime doing their duty, nowadays sadly we are adding young women to that number too. Honouring people who have lost their life in public service is not an issue where sex, colour or creed has any meaning. Remembrance Day is not a day when political parties should be allowed to use the dead to further their own agendas. Poppies are not a symbol of 'crusade' or 'imperialism', they are to honour those who have fallen doing their job protecting their friends and their nation