When I grew up as a child there was no question in my community everyone wore a poppy. We wore a poppy in school. Everyone did. A poppy is worn to remember our soldiers who fought in the wars. We wear a poppy in support of the people fighting wars presently. We wear a poppy to support the injured.
Most importantly I was taught at a young age you always make a donation for your poppy. Yes it technically is fashion appendage. To put it in perspective for the negative non-poppy believers the donation ,essentially, is what is important.
And yes I am surprised as much as you; there are always going to be those anti-poppy wearers. They all have their own opinions as to why they are against wearing the poppy. That’s their prerogative I guess. I respect that. But here is the real truth to the mysterious poppy. It is to support our Military; period. It is respectful to our veterans. It is respectful to our troops who fight for the freedom we have today.
It is acknowledging the fact we as human beings mourn the fallen. We don’t always suppress and pretend war and sacrifice do not exist. It is a comfort for people to get together as a community and wear the poppy. We are all fighting something. We all sacrifice. War is real.
That is why I wear the poppy.