Where have all the poppies gone?

From the memories of my youth I recall that almost every schoolboy wore a poppy and every shop and public service building displayed poppy collection jars, for the remembrance of our wounded and fallen troops was not just a civic duty but a display of our national pride in our armed forces past and present.

I find it sad when I visit a shop, pub or restaurant, and see no poppy jar on display in the run up to November 11 and ask is it because they have forgotten the sacrifice of our troops or have they just forgotten to ask the British Legion for a jar and poppies?

Whatever the reason, it is for us to ask them for their poppy jar and pay a little for those who gave so much.

Its sad that our fallen heroes are remembered but once a year by so few when they have given so much for all who reside in the security of this country – and the Calder Valley has produced more than its share of heroes to be remembered throughout the year and their memory cherished throughout our lives.

To everyone in the Calder Valley I ask you to buy a poppy and wear it with pride, sparing a thought for those who serve and the families they leave behind.

At St Peter's Church in Sowerby rests Corporal Kris O'Neill, a Calder Valley army medic killed while serving in Iraq in April 2007 and I say to this fallen soldier: "Rest in peace corporal although I never knew you. I pray that we will never forget you."

Sandy Mitchell