Posted on 05/28/2004 2:57:50 PM PDT by GeorgeW23225
Leaving my local Wal Mart today, I noticed a WWII veteran outside. He was selling "Poppies". He was also being ignored by most shoppers. He was about 80 years young, and wearing his VFW cap. As I approached the exit, I took my wallet out of my pocket, and gave him a donation. He seemed surprised that SOMEONE had even acknowledged him being there. He handed me my "poppy", and I extended my hand, and said to him "Thank You for serving". He stiffened, and his chest swelled with pride. He said "God bless our Military fighting terrorism". I agreed, and added "And God bless our Commander-In-Chief". Tears welled in his eyes as he told me what an honorable man President Bush is. He told me that he had voted for Governor Bush in 2000, and would proudly cast his vote in 2004 for President Bush. He said his only regret was that he could only vote once. I laughed, and told him that my motto is: Vote early and and vote often!! He waved to me as I left, and I gave him a "thumbs up". I was smiling as I walked to my truck, but before I got there, I realized that tears were running down my face. I guess I'm just a patriotic old softy, but I sure am glad that I am. If it wasn't for that sweet man, we wouldn't have our freedoms today. Why is that so difficult for some people to understand??
I haven't bought one yet, but whenever I see a veteran selling them, I always make a donation. I hope I see a veteran I can thank this weekend!
We sure did...and it, too, was a little stand set up in front of Wally World. This year's was blue, versus the more standard red.
I applaud him and his generation.
And I applaud you too. Well done.
BTTT!!!
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Jamais reculez á tyrannie un pouce!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! Never give an inch to tyranny!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Me, too.
Good job George! Making others feel good is what it's all about. You made this former GI's day I'm sure. And, I suspect, your own.
I believe you are correct.
"In Flanders Field the poppies grow, upon the crosses, row on row."
Great report, but what is a "poppy"? A flower?
I bought one a few weeks ago in front of my bank. I keep it on my computer at work.
Seek out the powm that Yooper quotes in post #10. The author was John MacRae, I beleive.
Then you'll understand.
The little red plastic flower is something that I have purchased every year for nearly 60 years. There do not seem to be as many available as there were years ago.
Never mind!
I bought one in front of my local grocery store, and told the 2 gentlemen "Thanks for the opportunity to thank you for your service". They sure smiled at that.
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
The quotation marks don't "make" any sense to "me," either.
I got three poppies this week.
Poppies grow best in turned earth, the western front was
loaded with them during the growing season as the dirt was
churned up by the shelling.
The larks and other birds figure prominently in WWI memoirs
as being down in trenches a soldiers view was mostly of sky.
This is a memory of my youth, buying poppies on Memorial day
one doesn't see it much any more, especially here in Ga.
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