If you are opposed to Iraq, do you still support the Legion?

Question

Someone asked "will you wear your poppy with pride?" and it got me thinking.

The British Legion (who sell the poppies) use the money to support current and ex-servicemen and women. Since there are only a handful of WWII vets left it must mostly be going to more recent soldiers like those in Iraq.

Can you support the poppy fund but be opposed to the war, the soldiers in which it supports? If so, how do you reconcile the two ideas?

Answer 1

Absolutely. The Royal British Legion provide welfare for serving and ex-service personnel and their families. You are right when you say that there are few WWII Veterans left today, but they do require the services of the RBL.
Our gallant soldiers (including Naval and Air Force personel) that have served both at home and overseas since then (Aden, Suez, Malaysia, Falklands, Northern Ireland, Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq; but to name a few) also need help. The Legion also takes care the families of ex-service personnel.
The poppy is a way of remembering those who gave their lives, especially in Paschendale but also in conflicts since then.
It is a fitting tribute to gallant men and women who gave so much so that we, their children, can lead the lives we do today. The Royal British Legion is a registered charity and this is one way they can make money and honour the dead at the same time.
I only hope that the RBL can change with the times and cater for the new wave of members rather than remaining too focused on the past - for without new blood it will surely fold and nobody wants that.


It has been mentioned by other in response to this question and I am in agreement; our lads and lasses swear their allegiance to our Queen and country - they are not in a position where they can choose which conflicts/causes they fight in. Fact is they would probably prefer not to fight at all; but they are aware that they have an obligation to carry out their duties in accordance with our Governments wishes, whether they like it or not.

Answer 2

I feel that yes you can support the Legion even though you are again the war in Iraq. All the soldiers did not go to Iraq just on their own whim. They were just doing what they where ordered to do. I am American so I don't know too much about the British Legion but I do understand that our soldiers are over there not because it's there choice. I might not agree with the governments policies but the soldiers don't make policies. That was the problem during the Vietnam War that American people were blaming the troops for going to war. I've been in the military for 8 years and not one time, I mean NEVER, has anyone come up to me and asked me what I feel our next mission should be. Showing support for the troops is not showing support for the war.

Answer 3

From the views I have heard recently from British soldiers, most of them don't support the Iraq war, but once you have signed up you have to do it. Otherwise the Army won't work. The reasons for the start of WW1 was pretty messed up too. I doubt that many people back then thought that Britain went to war "for the right reasons", but with the war propaganda and the way the media worked back then people probably didn't have as an informed view on the background as they have nowadays.

For me the poppies stand for honouring the soldiers by thinking about what it was like in the trenches, how many died and to appreciate the times and conditions we live here now. I won't wear them with pride, because what have I done to be proud of in this context? But wearing them does make me feel sentimental and think back to the sacrifices my grandparents made.

Answer 4

It is easy to reconcile. There is a difference between supporting the civilians who have ultimate control over the armed forces, like Bliar (sic), and those who just follow orders and are on the sharp end of things. I don't blame squaddies in Iraq or anywhere else who are doing their jobs well (excluding those who get accused of mistreating Iraqis) and risking their lives on behalf of their country.

I'd love to see Bliar in the dock at The Hague, but felt no qualms about selling poppies on the street for the past two weeks. Even a lot of those who come back from Iraq get shafted by their governments (the US has been cutting veterans' benefits; I don't know about Britain) in addition to being shafted by being sent on a pointless, illegal war.

Answer 5

First, you need to remember that low level soldiers: privates, PFC's, corporals and such, are just average Joes like you and me that are doing military service to either earn money for college, for the benefits, and all the other goodies that are promised to them. I am totally against the war in Iraq because that war was started for all the wrong reasons. I don't blame the low level soldiers for it, they are only doing what is demanded from them, and a lot of them are dying for all the wrong reasons. The ones that are to blame for this stupid war are the president, the generals, congress and all the other cowards that aren't in the front lines fighting their stupid war. Now I know that after all their faithful service, loyalty and time, a lot of veterans don't get what was promised to them. So if it takes buying "poppies" in order for us to help them out, then do it and don't hold anything against the veterans. It's not their fault. Blame the generals that, when they retire, get all the money that they were promised and more.

Answer 6

Everyone is entitled to thier own opinion but although we may be against the war and hate the Government for getting involved in it we must NEVER take this out on our service personel doing the job! Wear the poppy with pride and support our troops with all your heart!

Answer 7

I look at the rows upon rows of white headstones standing in some foreign land, and I thank God that their sacrifice means that I can stand today - in freedom. Therefore, I wear the Poppy as a thank you to the fallen, of any war, of any country... The dead know no boundaries, only an eternal peace they deserve.

Answer 8

yes you can support the poppy fund and be opposed to iraq.
the poppy fund helps exservice men and women usually the men have been injured or killed in service i agree with helping the families when the men have got injured or killed as they may not beable to go out and work themselves as they have children or for someother reason.
i beleive that the war should have had nothing to do with us and our men should not be out there.

Answer 9

Supporting the war should have nothing to do with supporting the troops. There is damn little any of us can do about war. There is unlimited amount we should do to support the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend their country.

Answer 10

I'm American, and I don't think any of us need to be in Iraq except the Iraqis. The soldiers from any country, however, have little say as to where they're sent. I support those who do their duty as best they can, always!