Resurrection of the poppy

A few weeks ago I was very grateful that The Times published my letter preceding the Malta Poppy Appeal. My aim was to rekindle peoples’ awareness of what the Malta Poppy Appeal stands for. The poppy represents the blood our forefathers gave for our freedom during World War II.

The whole ceremony epitomises the close link between the UK and Malta- John Carmel Navarro, Senglea

The scars are still borne by many ex-service personnel and their dependents, who in their hour of need benefit from the money collected during the appeal, which this year surpassed all expectations – the total well exceeded €26,000.

I hope this year will go down as the year when the appeal was resurrected by finding its way into education establishments thus ensuring that young people understand the reasons behind it and our very proud history which earned us the George Cross.

The Remembrance Day parade at the War Memorial in Floriana saw a great number of veterans who still bravely march to remember their close friends who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The band of the Armed Forces of Malta led the march past to rapturous applause.

I feel it is very important that recognition is given to our very own Air Malta who carry the poppies, collecting tins and wreaths from the UK free of charge. The support received from the outlets and entities ensures that the Royal British Legion Malta is once again in a position to help ex servicemen and women and their dependants in their hour of need.