The Great War (2 Viewers)

I was reading this thread and it occurred to me that some of our readers may never have seen a real red poppy:


New_Red_Poppy.jpg



The petals are crepe-like and very fragile. The weed-looking greenery grows in basins where water collects. When the flowers blossom they are a lovely yellow at their core. However, that same core turns dark within a day or so, and a small cross appears:


Old_Red_Poppy_2.jpg



If I'm all wised-up as to the ways of poppies, its because the town where I live has a "Red Poppy Festival" every April. The plants were imported into the community in commemoration of the areas war-dead. Like so many central Texas towns, the true locals are largely German-American. Having fled the upheaval of the 1848 Revolutions in Europe, they settled here as farmers and ranchers. When the call came in 1917, they marched off to war with everyone else. In front of the county courthouse, stands the statue of a "doughboy." At his feet grows a small stand of red poppies.

-Moe
 
When I was a kid, it was called Armistice Day and you used to wear a poppy, real ones I think (the brain ain't what it used to be).

As an aside, I think it's only been in the last five or ten years that Germany finished paying reparations for WW I.

Brad
 
ivanmoe said:
I was reading this thread and it occurred to me that some of our readers may never have seen a real red poppy:


New_Red_Poppy.jpg



The petals are crepe-like and very fragile. The weed-looking greenery grows in basins where water collects. When the flowers blossom they are a lovely yellow at their core. However, that same core turns dark within a day or so, and a small cross appears:


Old_Red_Poppy_2.jpg



If I'm all wised-up as to the ways of poppies, its because the town where I live has a "Red Poppy Festival" every April. The plants were imported into the community in commemoration of the areas war-dead. Like so many central Texas towns, the true locals are largely German-American. Having fled the upheaval of the 1848 Revolutions in Europe, they settled here as farmers and ranchers. When the call came in 1917, they marched off to war with everyone else. In front of the county courthouse, stands the statue of a "doughboy." At his feet grows a small stand of red poppies.

-Moe
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Very interesting Moe. I didn't realise about the black cross.

Pete
 
That is quite impressive and moving. Reminds me in a way of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington.
 
lancer said:
I'm going to be able to form my own French Army Division at the rate things are going.:wink2:^&grin -- Al
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Me too, but at one set a month, these already are stretching well into next year, so building up an army will be slow going, though very enjoyable feeding the addiction of collecting.^&grin, Robin.
 
villagehorse said:
Me too, but at one set a month, these already are stretching well into next year, so building up an army will be slow going, though very enjoyable feeding the addiction of collecting.^&grin, Robin.
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Robin, interesting that you mention stretching into next year. I took stock of the items that have been released or announced (just WW1, mind you) and there are so many that I want that I technically could use my next 13 months TS budget on just those, not to mention anything else that comes along. I'm fighting a losing battle.{sm2} -- Al
 
lancer said:
Unlike the French Army of 1917-18, my French Army continues to expand. I have finally added the TGM MG team and the shot Poilu along with 2 of the very excellent FL figures (thanks, George) and this will bring my 'army' to 35 figures. Still on the fence about the KC figures (more a monetary thing than anything else) and trying to put funds together for the KC Renault. Having seen the superb JJD painted pigeon wagon, I will be needing that, as well. I hope John has some French figures to go with the coop. With the announcement of the early version of the St. Chamond tank (which I shall also have to get^&cool), that will build my French Armored unit to 5 tanks. Now all I have to do is figure out some way, some how, to afford a German or two for my French onslaught to chase out of their trenches. Perhaps some of the MG nests the Germans were famous for and maybe a tank hunting team with flamethrower and anti-tank rifle. Oh, and a little space to set it all up.:rolleyes2: -- Al
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Been 4 months since this post and I haven't been able to make much progress on any of the above goals. I have increased my army to 40 figures but there remain many others to get. At least I am up to date on the JJD figures, which are my favorites. Haven't even been able to afford the KC Renault or JJD St. Chamond #2. Been a rough winter.:rolleyes2: Now have to add the new JJD Renaults to the purchase list as well. My tank park is going to get crowded when all the new tanks finally show up. All this to look forward to and JJD still has several figures in the pipeline for release. Gonna be a busy year.:wink2:^&grin -- Al
 
lancer said:
Been 4 months since this post and I haven't been able to make much progress on any of the above goals. I have increased my army to 40 figures but there remain many others to get. At least I am up to date on the JJD figures, which are my favorites. Haven't even been able to afford the KC Renault or JJD St. Chamond #2. Been a rough winter.:rolleyes2: Now have to add the new JJD Renaults to the purchase list as well. My tank park is going to get crowded when all the new tanks finally show up. All this to look forward to and JJD still has several figures in the pipeline for release. Gonna be a busy year.:wink2:^&grin -- Al
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I'm with you all the way Al.....There look to be a fair few figures in the pipeline.....can't keep up with all of the vehicles.

i just ordered the TG Poilu announced today, think he will look OK with the JJD Poilu's!

Pete
 
chalklands said:
I'm with you all the way Al.....There look to be a fair few figures in the pipeline.....can't keep up with all of the vehicles.

i just ordered the TG Poilu announced today, think he will look OK with the JJD Poilu's!

Pete
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Trying to stay just with JJD, there is still plenty of French in the pipeline. Have weakened though and ordered the TG French Pigeon handlers, but only because cannot guarantee John will make these and will look good against the Pigeon wagon. Robin.
 
villagehorse said:
Trying to stay just with JJD, there is still plenty of French in the pipeline. Have weakened though and ordered the TG French Pigeon handlers, but only because cannot guarantee John will make these and will look good against the Pigeon wagon. Robin.
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Hi Robin,
They look good with the St Chamond as well...the one without the base sits 'eloquently' amongst the other tank riders!

Pete
 
So far I've been able to keep my Great War collection to just JJD figures, aeroplanes, and vehicles except for just one figure . . . . . this afternoon Thomas Gunn figure GW015A "German Ace Otto Kissenberth" (sitting at a table drinking a bottle of scnapps) was delivered to my door. Very, very nicely done sculpt and fits in very well with my German aerodrome shelf display.

I have already made room on my shelf display area for the arrival of the French walking wounded . . . . these should be superb and very unique . . . . .

:smile2: Mike
 
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