Wear your poppy with pride

IT is a sad reflection of the violent age we live in that a ‘military war veteran’ may be as young as 18 years old, not the normal image we have come to accept over the years.

A deplorably sad fact of life addressed by Peggy Wyatt when on behalf of the British Legion North, she opened the official launch of the District Poppy Appeal in Javea last week.

It also emphasises just how important the Legion’s social and emotional support programme is to those who have served or who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces and their dependants.

It’s hard to imagine the trauma a young serviceman or woman suffers, trying mentally to face a future that previously held promises of so many good things to come, suddenly downgraded by falling victim to a roadside bomb in some God-forsaken, desolate corner of unfriendly territory.

The first official Legion Poppy Day was held in Britain on November 11, 1921. Last year, the appeal raised a staggering £36 million, of which over €100,000 was collected throughout the many branches here in Spain.

This year, the demand for the Legion services is greater than ever and subsequently a target of £40 million has been set to meet the rising needs.

Javea Mayor Jose Chulvi together with councillors Oscar Anton and Doris Courcelles attended the launch, together with artist Ana Saura, who donated a special ‘Poppy’ painting to raise money for the cause.

The Councillors also expressed their wishes to also attend the Remembrance Sunday service on November 13th – integration at its respectful best. For more information on the Poppy story, please refer to web page. www.poppyfactory.org

By Benny Davis