WITH reference to the Bertie Lewis' poppy wreath incident.

My argument was that the wars were fought for freedom, including the freedom to lay any type of wreath in whatever colour one chooses. Unfortunately white, in many people's eyes, depicts cowardice, as in white feathers and the "white flag" indicating surrender.

Well this is not the case with Bertie Lewis, who I met during the poll tax demos. He is an amicable, jovial gentleman and came over to fight here before America entered the war.

I understand Mr Stephen Cummings saying that the red poppy symbolises the bloodshed of war, which is exactly what we were told at school, even at junior school. I have always bought red poppies to wear since I was a child and always observe the two-minute silence. I do, however, feel there should be a balance and I see no legal or moral harm in white wreaths being laid alongside the traditional red wreaths which has been endorsed by men of the cloth etc.

I personally feel like defacing German and Japanese cars and anything to do with the euro. Of course, that would be a crime. But was it not a much greater crime to let our ex-enemies off the hook so easily?

B Howarth

Alexandria Drive

Westhoughton

Bolton