Editor:
This is the time of year that we don our poppies in memory of those who have fallen in wars. Many poppies are red.
I wear a white poppy to commemorate all victims of war. It symbolizes the grief I feel and share with every mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, child or friend who has lost a loved one to war. It also symbolizes my commitment to work for peace.
The red poppy was first introduced by allies of the First World War as an emblem of remembrance for the nations' dead. It was a promise to "never forget." The white poppy was launched in 1934 as rumblings of the Second World War grew. It was a pledge to peace in an effort that war would not happen again.
Since the First World War - the war to end all wars - the world has seen over 300 wars and the killing of more than 200 million people. Clearly, remembering is important, but it is not enough. We also need toimagine peace. We need to find new ways to resolve our conflictsand create conditions that lead to understanding and disarmament.
Each year as I don my white poppy I renew my commitment to work for peace. This year, once again, I send out special prayers to my friends in Gaza and Tibet, Afghanistan and Iraq, and to people everywhere who are experiencing the horrors of war and violence.
May peace come to you.
Anita Couvrette, Gibsons
