If you wear no poppy, feel free.  But please give for those who've suffered and those who've lost as a result of war. Not wearing your heart on your sleeve doesn't have to be opposed to compassion.

If you wear a white poppy, feel free. But please give also for those who've suffered and those who've lost as a result of war. Pacifism shouldn't be opposed to compassion.

As for me, it's red and the British Legion. Whatever the foolishness of our politicians, and God knows we've seen enough of that over the last ten years or so, our armed forces deserve our respect and support. And those who've suffered and those who've lost deserve all we can give.

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.