Giving or getting thanks

Grant Lamontagne · **on:** November 02, 2011, 08:29:01 PM

One of the ways Canadians remember the veterans who fought for freedom is through a poppy:

Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign

Every November members of the various Legions (and other volunteers) set up tables at stores, in malls, at events and pretty well anywhere else they can. They accept donations, and usually when you donate they give you a flimsy little plastic poppy pin. These little poppies are as cheap as pins can get, but everyone gets them, wears them and respects them, because while the pin may be unimportant, it's what it stands for that means more to us than we could ever say. Each year I buy between five and ten of them- every time I see one of the tables, I empty my pockets into the small cans and get a new one.

Today, as with many other times the Legion member pinned a cheap poppy to my lapel (my hands were kind of full since I was in the grocery store) he thanked me for the donation. I had given him the dollar and change I had gotten from my purchase, and it seemed to me that he shouldn't be thanking me, I should be thanking him, which of course I did, and it wasn't because he was nice enough to pin the flower on me. I told him that donating some spare change was the least I could do for a man who had put himself in harm's way for the benefit of me, my family and my country.

While I try to help veteran's organizations year round, November is always the time of year when it gets to me the most. Maybe it's because I was raised in a military family and was taken to Remembrance Day ceremonies as long as I can remember, and even participated in a few with my school, scouts or other organizations, or maybe it's just because I understand what freedom is and how important it is to me and the people around me, I don't know. I do know this though- he, and all veterans deserve my thanks a lot more than I deserve his, because they gave a lot more than a pocket full of spare change.

Def

Dunc · **Reply #1 on:** November 02, 2011, 09:16:57 PM

Here Here , wear your Poppy with pride !

tattoosteve99 · **Reply #2 on:** November 02, 2011, 09:47:01 PM

We do kinda the same thing here. We have two days. Memorial day and Veterans day. They ask for change and give us a cheap little American flag. I always try to give more than the previous year and also help out my local old timer veterans, new ones too. I love to sit and listen to their "war stories". Some good some bad, but most of them just want someone to talk to that can appreciate the sacrifice they and their comrades made. An old neighbor of mine was in WW2 and passed a few years back. I can remember him talking about fighting them "damn Nazis". He would cry sometimes so I would comfort him and grab him his beer and cigs. I miss that old guy. So if any of you reading this has a local veteran you know. Go sit with them and just listen. You'll be amazed at what you might learn.

ryan1835 · **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2011, 10:28:52 PM

It's a sad state of affairs when a war veteran has to thank those he fought for because they gave him spare change. I always give to them if I have coins in my pockets even if I've just given to one. Normally you can have quite good and interesting conversations with them too!

Sparky415 · **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2011, 10:41:26 PM

http://www.poppyshop.org.uk/

jerseydevil · **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2011, 11:03:35 PM

I always give what I can to veterans groups. Both of my grandfathers served in World War 2, as did my stepfather's father, who is still with us and has many stories. One uncle was a pilot in Vietnam, and another was Air Cav. My stepfather was a Ranger and also served in Vietnam. My cousin just returned from Iraq, and my stepbrother is preparing for another deployment to Afghanistan. I work for two veterans, a father who was Navy, and his Marine son. Any veteran who comes into my store gets a discount. To me, there is always time to say thank you to the men and women who fought for our freedom, not just at times like Memorial Day or Veterans' Day.