"Armistice Day is important for many: those who lost close relations in World Wars, those who have fought or are fighting in wars now, and those who want to pay respect to the fallen. Most of us wear a poppy as a symbol of our gratitude throughout November.

So why are people calling for this act of kindness to end?

Lest we forget

When fighting in France and Belgium ceased at 11:00 on November 11^th 1918, nobody had any idea of the significance that day and time would still hold over 100 years later. Millions flock to their local cenotaph, churches or living rooms to take part in a memorial service to commemorate the fallen every year. Volunteers collect money from the sale of poppies to aid the Royal British Legion and 2 minutes silence is kept at 11:00am on November 11^th, and on the Sunday closest, to remember those we have lost in horrific circumstances.

Emily (above) talks about the poppy

The ‘corporate poppy’

The calls to end this national event are few. However renowned historian, Simon Jenkins, writing for the Guardian, believes that “Britain should write the wars of the 20th century into its history books. It should then move on”. In his article he voices the opinion that the commemorations that did occur have been “reduced to the compulsory ‘corporate poppy’ and we should leave the past in the past”.

Others argue that this event lets us show thanks to the soldiers and their families affected by war, and the small gesture of wearing a poppy and partaking in two minutes silence gives them almost a sense of closure. A sense that those at home, whom haven’t been affected by the horrific war, like they have, appreciate their struggles and the risk they put themselves at, all for us. Why should we erase this part of our lives, that we have all become accustomed to because it is deemed “too 20^th century”?

Paying our respects

If we cannot acknowledge the fact that millions died, fighting for our country, then no, they should not just wear a poppy to fit in with everybody else. But when those who know someone who was alive in either of the World Wars, or grew up with tales of being evacuated, or fighting, or waiting for a loved one to come home hear of this, they believe that all the fighting they, or someone close to them endured was futile and that those millions who died are just being forgotten. That is when we realise the importance that Remembrance Day holds for a lot of us.

A doorstep tribute

This year, there will be no public cenotaph services, aside from the closed broadcast one in London. However, the Royal British Legion are encouraging all who can to mark Remembrance Sunday, up and down the country, on their doorstep, or remotely, to ensure that Remembrance Day, the hardships faced by soldiers, and those fighting now is not forgotten, even in these dark and uncertain times.

So wear your poppy with pride, knowing what it means to veterans, serving soldiers and their families."