Letter: Remembrance

Simon C. Allen
Monday 10 November 1997 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: I do not wear a poppy. In due course, no one will wear poppies.

At the age of 41, I have many reasons to remember the Second World War and those who died. My father, aged 74, was closely involved in the war and draws an invalidity pension as a result. My grandparents were killed by a V-2 rocket and my uncle in an RAF flying accident just after the war.

I do not wear a poppy because, whatever the impact on my life, it was not part of my life. Yes, these people died to make my life easier and I fully acknowledge that, but I cannot turn back and remember a time that I did not know.

At some point, we will stop marking the two world wars in the way we now do, for the simple reason that those with living memory of them will themselves have died. We no longer mark the battles of Waterloo, Hastings or Trafalgar in this personal way. So, too, this shall pass.

My father fought one tyrant and his generation won. My generation must turn to fight the new tyrants.

SIMON C ALLEN

Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in