David. Never a truer word spoken. We owe them that much and its little compensation to all who have made us free. Regards Joe.
This is a statue of Tommy in Seaham, near where I live, a committee of local residents raised £102,000 needed to buy it. The price was handed over on 4 August 2014, the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, he is over 9 feet tall and is loved by everyone who visits the area. The large poppy is made of pebbles from the nearby beach.
I can remember when this Victoria Cross winner was on the commitee of the local working mans club in the seventies. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/william-mcnally-war-soldier-murton-15336622
Hats off to our Scots brothers. Let's hope if there is ever another conflict we are shoulder to shoulder with them and still a unified nation.
War Horse a great tribute to the 353 men who died in WW1 all from Featherstone, West Yorkshire (Fev) to us locals.
Well people I just been sitting thinking about the old war hero yesterday almost beaten to death. God what has happened to our Country. I bet the bast---ds were not British. I would wish that every person in our Great country would all give a pound cash to apprehend the scum that did this. I would ask God that he let me meet them 30 minutes would do so I can tear every limb from their useless bodies. And if there is a greater being please grant me this wish. Or better still to the no good creeps if by some act of God you read this reply I will meet you anywhere you want. Ride Free Joe.
Bikerman. You got it Mate. Please God let me pull the trap door handle. I am totally enraged by the Scum who did this. And I really do want so much to rip their throats with my teeth. Ride Free Joe.
Hanging's too good for them, it's all over as soon as you pull the lever, they need lynching where you just pull them up on a tree branch and let them slowly strangle.
BikerMan. Yes you got it hanging them. And again you're right what deterrent is there. Even if they get caught its a slap on the wrist or a cushy hotel like prison cell. Only blessing there is some of the old school type boys there will deal with them if they go to the right Hotel. God Bless Joe
Dozers Dad And if there's a few of them I know a good man on here I will ask to help me. You don't have to guess his name. God Bless Joe.
Possibly getting a little bent away from the subject originally posted. I do feel anger towards the unknown perpetrators mentioned above; crime and retribution are probably best suited to a different thread... But I’d be interested to know if the image of the red poppy, getting tied into similar emotions/opinions/politics may discourage some people with more moderate views from wearing one, in case they become associated with someone else’s ideals? I personally would love to discuss the pros and cons of capital punishment, vigilante actions and ethnic generalisations without involving the poppy at all. I want my poppy to purely be money to the British Legion and a symbol that at that I remember and I am grateful for the soldiers who were prepared to lay down their lives for me/us.
DCS222. Maybe you misread. That dear old man was one of our hero's who came home to be treated like that. Do you think if someone had told him all those years ago before he volunteered he would have still felt the same. The poppy is more than revenue for the British Legion. I for one stand for the service they provide when my Wife passed away suddenly and I was left with three small toddler. Ride Free Joe.
Joe, I totally understand that the victim was a decorated 2nd World War serviceman ... and in no way should he have been treated so brutally, I have my own ideas of what should be done to such criminals... but a similar aged lady that may have been an antiWar protester/pacifist has just the same right to not be treated so brutally... just as my two children don’t. The fact he’s ex-serviceman doesn’t weigh any heavier on my personal ideas of what punishment should be handed out. To me, this then distances poppies from the “crime and retribution” discussion... (and almost all other political footballs tbh) I totally agree that the British Legion are an amazing charity and the work they do is awesome. But they are a charity and I would like to see them collect as much funds as possible to do that work. If one political ideal becomes associated with the poppy, then opponents to that ideal would tend to not want to associate... potentially not buying the poppy, potentially not adding to the funds raised. Whether you or I support the BNP or not is irrelevant, but images like this will repulse non-BNP supporters
DCS222. Yes fair enough but this is only my opinion. And any of us should be safe to walk the streets or sit in our own homes. And all people deserve this freedom. They don't have to be ex-service. But there must be some punishment for any crime like this. No I don't support any party and being Northern Irish I know how hatred festers. I support my home and Family. But go out there on the streets talk to any Police Officer of the record. They will tell you they are sick of bringing these creeps to court to see them walk out with a smirk on there faces. God Bless Joe.
DCS222. And now this has been playing on my mind. And you know you are right. I should not have lowered this precious topic to these depths. If I have offended any member or person reading this please accept my humble apologizes. Generally I am a pacifist and gentle but now and then I get angry and stupid. Forgive me. God Bless All Joe.