Why do we wear a poppy on Remembrance Day?

[@stevepilley6121]

Thank you for the video. My grandfather was a WW 1 British soldier in the Kings Royal Rifles. His name was William Thomas Teale. I myself am American since my mother was a war bride and came to the U.S. I have great pride in my Grandfather and his service and moreover, great pride in my English Heritage.

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Steve, that's great to hear. You'll find lots of English history on this channel and lots more to come. Thanks for watching.👍🏻

[@buffewo6386]

As a Veteran (USAF) I can identify strongly with your statement. "Remember Us." We sacrificed to protect our family at home, our comrades beside us, and to do what we thought right at the time. Understand, most soldiers (or sailors, airmen, marines, etc. ) today in the Free World are volunteers. We made the choice to serve; for our family, friends, nation, and ideals. We may not have known all the cost, but we agreed to pay it anyway. For those conscripted, it probably feels different. Not a totaly free choice, but fulfilling an obligation. (The cost of being a part of your nation.) Either way, we put our selves at risk so you could live lives removed from the battlefields. (Current or Potential.) Everyone who serves is changed by the experience. In wartime, that can mean scars or worse. But remember, not all scars show on the outside. We don't ask much of those we protected. Keep your promises to us. Don't disrespect our dead. Don't throw away what we fought, bled, and they died to achieve for nothing. It hurts us, especially the last, in ways we are glad you never will understand. It is common here to here the phrase "Thank you for your Service." If you want to touch a Soldier's heart, try this. "Thank you for my Freedoms." For all those who have also Served, I pray that you are remembered.

[@dpeter6396]

I've never read a more moving plea for remembrance. Thank you.

[@la_old_salt2241]

Well said brother. God bless, Rob USNR 1987-1995

[@garychynne1377]

it's a hell of a world kevin. after i got out of the army i stayed with my parents for four years and one day my mother said i think you have shell shock. i was surprised and said oh mother that's not true i never got shelled. mothers know somehow. she said you've never been the same since you came home. it's the mind that is shocked so at 77 i realize she was right. i was 21 when i got out and in a way was already an old man. simple truth is i was scared and that is hard to admit. i had two repeating night mares. so i drank to help stop them. then i found pot stopped them. i realize now symptoms . for instance one was when the sun went down i had to go outside until it went down then i was ok. lots of little things. i have a poppy permanently on my wall. thank you kevin. take care gary

[@thehistorysquad]

I know exactly what you're talking about Gary, for sure. It's not nice, and it's much more prevalent than anyone cares to admit. 👍🏻

[@la_old_salt2241]

Welcome home Gary. God bless, Rob

[@dpeter6396]

It took cannabis to mostly stop my PTSD and change my life to something resembling normal. Kevin, you are about my age I think and there are so many out there that truly suffer the effects of those horrible experiences. Peace.

[@jaypearce4314]

This is beautiful, a lot of the videos you have made bring a tear to my eye, we will remember you, and everyone who served, always and forever. Thank you for your service

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you Jay, that's appreciated.

[@tedgreen6]

...and thank you, Kevin, for your continued service.

[@jmfa57]

In November 1995, a coworker and I were in England on business. We had the weekend off, so of course, it being our first time in England, we explored London. We were given some curious, plastic poppies as we left our hotel for our adventure. We wandered and wandered. We saw lots of extremely fit looking older men, younger men, and even younger, grieving women wandering about the cathedrals. At one point, we heard a tremendous BOOM. Thinking some terrorist had detonated a bomb, we started to scamper off. Then, I noticed that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, except us, had stopped in their tracks. Then, remembering my history, it dawned on me what was happening, and I grabbed my buddy by the arm and we STOPPED. After a minute or two, people resumed their activities. When we got back to the hotel, I got a few extra poppies for my dad and my uncles, all of whom were WWII vets, and all of whom appreciated the significance of the poppies from their predecessors in WWI. Thanks, Kevin, for another fantastic video. And by the way, I still have and cherish that plastic poppy.

[@thehistorysquad]

What a lovely story, thank for sharing it, and thank you for your time watching my channel, it's appreciated.

[@andrewhallett-patterson9778]

Today is 25th April 2022. Anzac Day in Australia. Just returned from moving morning service where I proudly wore my poppy, crocheted by local ladies as support for the local RSL. LEST WE FORGET 🇭🇲

[@heatherannejohnson5115]

Many thanks to The History Squad, Kevin Hicks, Terry McCully "and all" for featuring Anna Guérin in her rightful place. Excellent.

[@thehistorysquad]

You're welcome :-)

[@beanie1792]

That is such a powerful message to give out. 'Remember us'

[@OvelNick]

A man is never truly gone as long as his name is still spoken in the memories of the living. There are so many different ways that has been quoted but it has always ringed true no matter who is saying it. At the end of the day, we all just want to be remembered.

[@thehistorysquad]

That's so true Nick.

[@mickusable]

Thank you Kevin, We Will Remember 🌺

[@NatalieHobson-ww2mx]

Welll Kevin, you gave me goose pimples, with your lovely little video there, bless you, I have bought and worn a poppy every year since my late teens, before that my Mum used to get me and my sisters one each, off a poppy sellar in town where we lived, I sometimes buy an enamel one, one year I found some poppys at home, which I had put away and I made a cross, and attached them onto it, and placed it on our local war memorial in our town, its so important to remember, as we wouldn't be here today, without these war veterans who risked their lives for us, bless you Kevin xxx 💜🤗👏

[@thehistorysquad]

How lovely, thank you for your support 👍🏻

[@jomess7879]

I'm not sure if any my family served in WW1 or if they did, I don't know their stories. I do know that my great grandad stormed the beaches of Normandy and fought in the battle of the bulge. He lived to be 90+. I come from a long line of vets, though I never had the honor of serving. Thanks to all who did serve and for the sacrifice you made. I pray God grants you peace.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you very much, that's really appreciated 👍🏻

[@Saxon709]

I've worn a poppy every November since I was a kid, leading up to Remeberance Day. Military service in my family goes back a long way. I served in the Royal Canadian Navy, my grandfather was in the Army and served in WWII. My great grandfather and great uncle were in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during WWI. Always remember those, who sacrificed so much, so we can enjoy our freedoms we have today. Lest we forget. Also, nice video and thank you for your service, Mr. Hicks.

[@jeningle8288]

Always buy a poppy, and always take time to remember, it's so important.

[@BUZZKILLJRJR]

Amazing i am grateful for all the men and woman who serve and have served in the military defending this country. Many of my friends and family have served in the United States armed forces, i appreciate all of them. God bless you to for serving your country our brothers and sisters across the drink haha and now just north of us!

[@ritchyrich914]

An old Anzac mentioned the flower is pinned at the 11 o'clock position....something to do with the time the war officially ended....lest we forget....

[@Ferret8185]

I have always loved poppies. Your bit of history will not be forgotten. I will plant red poppies this spring in “remembrance”. Thank you for today's history lesson, Professor.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wonderful, thank you Pauline 👍🏻

[@philipnorris6542]

At the going down of the Sun and in the morning we will remember them.

[@stephenrickstrew7237]

Thanks so much for this episode… You made an ex marine cry …Flanders fields Is such a great poem .. and you have really touched my heart ❤️.. Best Wishes from the U.S.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, thanks Stephen. Semper fi 👍🏻

[@CameronMcCreary]

My Grandmother always called the 11th of November, Rememberance Day. My Grandfather knew men who served in WWI and they all said it was the worst war that the world had seen until WWII.

[@Raycheetah]

I'm glad you took that opportunity to meet with those veterans. Through you, they passed along something of their own history, and I hope someone does the same for you (aside from your videos). =^[.]^=

[@notwocdivad]

Thank you for your very moving telling of the story of the Unknown Warrior.

[@PSDuck216]

Very touching. Thank you.

[@mikef6948]

Absolutely I wear a poppy !! I couldn't live with myself if I didn't show that tiny bit of respect to the brave men and women who fought for the freedoms we all enjoy. Terrific story about the poppy and the history behind it. Magnificent !! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@fangslaughter1198]

I really like the original poppies. Brit ones are a little more ornate than ours. The first ones I remember were the same as now but had a smaller green circle 🟢 inside the black one. I was disappointed when they stopped that. Glad to know the rest of the story. Thanks Kev.

[@PhinAI]

Excellent message! God bless those who sacrificed in the past so that we could have a present and a hopeful future.

[@davefinster8697]

In a comment on another video, I mentioned my grandfather's brother, who was killed in action a week before the armistice, serving in the British Army. Of course I never met him, but I did meet another World War I veteran, my wife's grandfather. He lied about his age to enlist in the Missouri National Guard in 1917. He ended up serving in the 128th Machine Gun Battalion in France as part of the American Expeditionary Force. His five sons all served in World War II, including my wife's father (Who, like his father before him, lied about his age in order to enlist). We do not forget.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks for your comment Dave 👍🏻

[@la_old_salt2241]

Thanks Kevin. I don't see poppys here in the States, I suppose they maybe somewhere, just don't seem to be where I am. I wish it was more common here. Also, our Remembrance Day is the last Monday in May, Memorial day its for the dead. November 11, here is Veteran's Day. It's for living veterans. On Memorial Day, I go to the cemetery and walk the rows of stones with the flags placed by them. I try to see which section is busiest. Those men and women still have families to come visit them. I go to the section that's quiet. There's a tradition in the States, I don't know the history behind it, but you'll see coins on veterans' grave stones occasionally. A penny means they had a visitor who didn't know them. A nickel means they were visited by someone who trained with them. A dime meant the visitor served operationally with them. And, rarely, you'll see a quarter. A quarter meant that the person who visited was with them when they died. As I walk the graves, I'll occasionally have one give me pause. I read the name, offer a salute, and place a penny on the stone. There are always more stones than pennies. I'd like to see the poppy tradition come back to America. But, we have yet another new tradition. Wreaths across America have begun placing Christmas wreaths on each grave of our dead. The goal is EVERY veteran, wherever they lay, will have a wreath placed at their headstone. It's even begun to happen overseas. I'd like to see one on the Graves of ALL American and Allied troops one day. Thanks again Kevin. God bless, Rob

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Rob, and thanks for the insight into American traditions, I didn't know about. I tend to seek out the unknown soldiers when I visit cemeteries too..

[@la_old_salt2241]

​@@thehistorysquadIndeed

[@buzsalmon]

A GREAT MESSAGE KEVIN (and video)!!🙏🙏

[@carpetbagger1000]

Well done Kevin that was great.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Brian

[@resnonverba137]

A very good upload. My respect to you.

[@thehistorysquad]

Many thanks for the visit

[@walterlloyd8382]

As a US Army Veteran I just want to thank you very much for the very interesting and enjoyable video.

[@thehistorysquad]

It’s my pleasure 👍

[@michaelr.5676]

Thanks for being incredible! My family and I adore you!

[@thehistorysquad]

That's very kind of you, I appreciate it. 👍🏻

[@triffidgrower]

i'm proud that my kids have embraced the spirit of Remembrance, and I hope to set an example for their children, also. Lest we forget...

[@Mrskateboardboy]

"In Flander's Fields the poppies grow among the crosses row on row......................" Nothing else needed!!

[@PhilPurcellPT]

Remembrance day. Have many memories, as a cub scout wearing poppy with pride. Stopping to chat to WW1 veterans when selling them in the 1980s and 1990s (I was born '78). Anyway, in my late 20s I worked in Argos HO. I had a meeting with two Israeli chaps, one being a former officer in IDF, the meeting began at 10:50 and at the stroke of 11:00 I stood paid my silent respects and the office of 2000 people fell deathly silent. These chaps, having flown in from Israel that very morning, were totally unaware of the significance. When I sat down I picked up the conversation like it had been a hiccup in time, I explained after that I mark when the guns fell silent and so do I, and while time has moved forward for those couple of minutes once a year time stands still. The former officer got what I had said the other looked confused - I am sure there was an attitude adjustment on the train back to LDN for him.

[@thehistorysquad]

How lovely, thanks for sharing that 👍🏻

[@UnquenchableHarvest]

Ohhhh! I first heard of this when visiting Kingston, Canada. It happened to be remembrance day, so I asked a random lady on the street if she didn't mind explaining the flower pin she was wearing. She didn't seem to know much more than it was to commemorate remembrance day, which is a tradition they keep in Canada. Fun times. Wish we had it here in the states. Wouldn't hurt.

[@09EvoX]

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them." Lest we forget.

[@ianatkins1213]

Important message, Kevin. Well said.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Ian 👍🏻

[@brunomunemassa8266]

Thanks for sharing your story and explaining these amazing history facts. The message behind the poppies is so powerful and i had no idea after so much destruction life would flourish in such a poetic way.

[@Golo1949]

Thank you, I will never forget as I was named after my uncle that was killed on the Somme.

[@laurenscriven6964]

Well said, wee tear to the eye.

[@larryrisley9845]

Thank you for your service. God bless you

[@thehistorysquad]

Much appreciated

[@friscostreetstories5403]

You sir are a master story teller. I myself have a reputation for telling good stories, but I believe theres more to it. You have to had to lived an interesting experience filled life. Its how your stories feel like I was there because you have "been" there. Most Americans don't know about the poppies, unfortunately. In fact most Americans couldn't tell you who the Anglo Saxons were or any other British history. The prehistory of the island and the Danelaw times really interests me and of course when Rome came and went. I dont have this sense of living in a place that has thousands of years of human habitation in SF, where the oldest building was made in the 1800s. I want to spend a few months traveling Britian, visit all the megalithic rocks and mounds, mabey I will finally feel like I belong.

[@thehistorysquad]

You'd have a blast visiting Britain, it's steeped in history for sure. 👍🏻

[@rebeccaweil1]

Wow this is fascinating and inspiring Kevin.

[@brianhumphreys4625]

Hi Kevin..Brian Humphreys here..ex RMP..112 & 175..think we served together in Belfast..I’m still in contact with a few..including Iain Duff and Glenn Whatling..love the videos..great job 👍🏻

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, sorry Brian, I’ve only just found your comment. I was 175 in 79/80, I think I remember your name 👍. Glad you’re enjoying the channel mate, I appreciate it.

[@blowdagator9181]

One of my relations won a military medal in WW1 for saving an injured man on no man's land so everyone in my family grows poppies in thier garden.

[@tedgreen6]

Beautiful

[@secrets3116]

I love this!! ❤Are you British??

[@samright4661]

I would wear a poppy with pride to show respect for our Fallen British Brothers, and the people serving currently. I wish I could visit the Military Cemetery’s in France. I have a fondness for the British

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks for your comments Sam, the cemeteries in France are sad but quite beautiful

[@joefox50]

This is what it's all about ' Remembering our dads, granddad's, great grandads, uncles etc and other service personnel 😢

[@aresee8208]

Most sources, including the BBC, credit American Moina Belle Michael for conceiving the idea. In 1921 the American Legion Auxiliary adopted the poppy as their symbol of remembrance. Anna Guerin was at the meeting, liked the idea and worked to promote it outside the US.

[@thehistorysquad]

Unfortunately it seems as though Monica’s campaign was localized and didn’t take off Nationwide which was a shame.

[@lucdrouin]

When I was young, there were almost no veterans to be seen where I grew up, therefore they were somewhat abstract. In adulthood, I would on occasion meet some on Remembrance Day, dressed with black jackets and berets. If they exhibited their medals, I would ask them if they would accept telling how they got them; it always seemed to please them. Only later, after reading much about war, any war, and realising that death is not an abstraction as dear people leave me, and especially realising that soldiers laying on battlefields got robed of things I could enjoy, for instance loving spouses and children, interesting jobs and the everyday joy of breathing, at that point the abstraction stopped. Those men, whether they died at war or whether they survived it, they were real, as real as I am. And even if I were to read a thousand biographies of soldiers, I will never know soldiers enough to empathise fully with what they sacrificed for their families, their villages and towns, their countries, and for me, a person they could not know. But there is a way I can emotionally and physically touch those fallen or surviving soldiers; every year, I buy as many poppies as I meet veterans. It can be a duty, sure, if you want so! but when you see the smile of a veteran, it becomes an act of love. Deep love!

[@thehistorysquad]

How lovely Luc, such a touching comment, thank you.

[@jimditch6990]

Powerful. Thank you.

[@aleksandarmarkovic4992]

In Serbia, the emblem of the Ramonda nathaliae flower, which has regenerative abilities and is compared to the mythical phoenix, is used as a symbol of Armistice Day in the First World War. It is recommended that this emblem be worn on the lapel in the week preceding the holiday, as well as on the day of the holiday itself.

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes, I've heard of this, thank you for reminding me and sharing it here with others.

[@xWhocaresxX]

You’ve no idea how cool that is you talked with those veterans of the Somme. My great great great uncle was killed in the second battle of the Somme. Just a month before the war ended. I have his death certificate and dead man’s penny. Plot twist, had WW1 not happened I wouldn’t be here…

[@philvanderlaan5942]

I don’t think anyone sells poppies here anymore either around Veterans Day or Memorial Day so I have to buy metal poppy pins off the internet but I wear them year round . P.O.2 U.S.N. 87-93

[@MissLizzy882]

I wear my poppy every year without fail. ❤

[@thehistorysquad]

Good one Lizzy 👍🏻

[@secrets3116]

I do too but over the last couple of years I've decided to wear a poppy pin, earrings or bracelet throughout the year also and trying to instill the sentiment into my 23 year old daughter. I can very proudly say, she bought her first poppy yesterday without any prompting from anyone. It is so important to pass this on to our next generation. We will remember them ❤

[@michellemichaels3258]

🙏💞🙏 much love and gratitude 🌀

[@carltonleboss]

Very good video.

[@Briselance]

Say, mister Hicks, who are the British servicemembers pictured behind you? Would the one on the bookshelf be a grand-father or a grand-uncle? Would one of these on the wall be you in your service days? What unit did you serve in?

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi there, the one on the shelf is my Uncle Albert, killed in Normandy. The ones on the wall are my two sons. I served in the Royal Military Police. 👍🏻

[@WalterMitty1966]

God bless you , for your efforts Another Englishman Phil

[@The_ZeroLine]

🌹 I learn, remember and actively support tomorrow’s veterans and victims in Ukraine. 🇺🇦

[@kikikaakau-delizo8152]

In the U.S. we've continued this tradition too❤

[@wolfgangholtzclaw2637]

Once again you cause me to reflect and a tear in my eye. We have a fund in America; the Wounded Warriors Fund, I was a regular donor , gonna start up again soon. Now that I am drawing my Social Security. $30 a month, not much but they helped those young soldiers, sailors, and airmen without legs, arms, blind, etc. from combat. The symbol is a soldier carrying his buddy. So glad you told this. Kevin, I thank you. Hope some day, some how, I can have a beer with you. Be nice. But if we don't sometimes I have a brew when I read your stories. Hoisting one up for you Kevin.

[@thehistorysquad]

Ah, that's very kind Wolfgang and I'm always up for a beer 👍🏻

[@wolfgangholtzclaw2637]

@@thehistorysquad Old soldiers always are! I think Jesus himself would love to hoist one up in a Pub in Britain or a Barbecue House in Fort Worth, and drink and fellowship with no distinction to social class, race, just glad you soldiers were there for the people... Cheers!!! or in Germany Ein Prostet!!!

[@stuhicks7495]

That’s my Dad

[@AlwaysLewis]

I applied for a weekend Job at the Jorvik center in York while I was at Uni a few years back. I had to deliver a short 5 minute talk/presentation on any historical subject that interested me. I ended talking about the English and Welsh Longbowman, based on the videos it'd watched of Kevin. I think a lot of that stuff was back from when he worked at Warwick Castle, but even now he has a knack for talking about history in a way that's accessible, and entertaining. A lot of the Historians I've worked with and studied under tend to get bogged down with dates and statistics, it ends up making the subject very dry. You need guys like Kevin, because they help to inspire an interest in History amongst the average person. He certainly helped me when I was losing a lot of my interest.

[@thehistorysquad]

It sure is :-))

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks so much, history should be fascinating and fun.

[@SarahTre100]

And my cousin :)

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Sarah!

[@redman958]

We do the same in Canada.

[@philvanderlaan5942]

All gave some, some gave all.

[@rikijett310]

Never forget!!!!

[@MrWaynetolson]

Fritz Hauber is worth his own video, father of the gas atack his company went on to develop Zyclon. He won the Nobel prize for the Habour Bosch proses.

[@clivecarrick4698]

❤️

[@vysheslavuzumati1269]

I have one I put it on the WW1 tunic I restored and wore to work.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cool 👍🏻

[@skyedog24]

I've got mine it's always in my car !

[@pizzademonXX]

Amen🙏

[@GrannySingaporePVP]

Cool video… now if I could only remember what it was about….

[@charlescorris3469]

I will…

[@archiehendricks6093]

Roger roger will do

[@jasonmackintosh6075]

Blessed be x hekate ❤❤😂x

[@kamra99a]

We were the good guys. Or maybe not. If the other side won, would they have been the good guys? What were we fighting about? I have no idea. Let's just thank all these people for the service, you know, the service they performed by shooting and killing each other. Now maybe we should have another war and see how many people come to that one. What should we fight about now? Something important, I hope. Then we can thank another generation of people for their service. Should we thank the soldiers for fighting or for stopping the fighting? In the next war, maybe we could be the bad guys and they could be the good guys. Now I wonder what is meant when I say "we". How should I define "we"? I'm really so confused.

[@angloaust1575]

In afghanistan opium trade flourises with poppies Should it be advertised by Wearing them!

[@durwardsaar6000]

To remember those that unknowingly died for the international banking cartel. Same for WW2 and the upcoming WW3. Don't be fooled again.

[@KingofAmerica97]

Is armistice day celebrated in Russia?

[@ja37d-34]

Watched it as it had low numebrs. Glad I did..

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you.