Friday is, of course, Remembrance Day. And now that November is here, like toddlers who have eaten too much sugar, some super-excited Christmas-lovers are already in the spirit. Boy oh boy, are they in for a lashing on social media.
If you dare to do anything Christmasy before Remembrance Day, you’ll hear about it. “What about our veterans?”, ask the busy-bodies of the world? They’re adamant that keeping a lid on Christmas will mean more of an honour for the fallen.
poppycock.
Since when is a person incapable of caring about two things at once? Personally, I have no interest in doing Christmasy things until December, but if you want to put your tree up in August, that’s your business! What if your birthday falls within Channukah? Do you just ignore it, or do you do a little birthday thing within the 8 “crazy” days/nights? Of course you do. It doesn’t mean you don’t appreciate the sacredness of the celebration of lights. It means you do something else for a while.
Pretending the stores aren’t filled with glitter and gold won’t make me concentrate any harder on sacrifices made by our veterans. I happened to start wearing a poppy on my lapel on Halloween and got a dressing down for that. So, my ever-supportive co-host Ken consulted the official poppy guide from the Royal Canadian Legion which states that it’s appropriate to wear a poppy starting on the last Friday of October. That happened to be the 31st. So, leave me alone.
Other things the Legion poppy rules state: you’re not supposed to put a different pin, Canadian flag or otherwise, in the middle of it. And the proper thing to do with it after November 11th is to leave it at the grave of a veteran or a veteran’s memorial
Last Remembrance Day, I was driving at the appointed time for a moment of silence. I pulled over to observe the moment and couldn’t help but notice that the other cars kept moving along. I didn’t waste my time thinking about their behavior because that’s what true freedom is about. They can make whatever choice they want about their time while I make mine. If you like, judge people who want to do harm to others or suppress their freedom. But let’s ease up on the celebration suppression, shall we? It’s really bumming me out that we’ve gotten so judgmental about things that we can’t possibly control.
Now if someone could come up with a poppy pin which would stay in place or some type of alternative. I have what I thought would be a great idea until I read your post.
Hi Allan – I responded to your call for something to help with a poppy pin – it’s below in my answer to Lisa. Hope you have access to it.
That’s terrific, Lisa, couldn’t agree more. People are so damned bossy. Like we haven’t room in our hearts or heads to observe more than one thing. And Allan – if you have access to an earring back, a bit of eraser from a pencil or even a few millimetres of an elastic band, all make great pin stoppers. We have a video on CHFI.com that my partner Darren and I shot today showing how to put the poppy pin back through the flower itself, which also works, but if I recall correctly, you’re visually impaired and that video may not be of help. Hopefully the other suggestions will.