Keldon Loc: Yukon, B.C.

To those who served and to those who lost loved ones.

IN FLANDERS FIELD

In Flanders Field 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.

Lt. Col. John McCrae was a Surgeon with the Canadian Army in Belgium. He wrote this poem the day after he buried his best friend, who had been struck by an artillery shell.
McCrae died on January 28, 1918 in France of Pnuemonia and was buried with full Military Honours.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Thank you for your post, but you'll note you mistyped the year of his death, which was 1918.

Keldon Loc: Yukon, B.C.

Thankyou. Fixed now.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Too few today are old enough to remember that Veterans Day before the mid 1950s was Armistice Day marking the end of the Great War on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

Keldon Loc: Yukon, B.C.

So true.
(Just as a note of interest: In the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most other countries it is referred to as Remembrance Day. I believe it's only called Veterans Day in the U.S.)

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Yes, thank you. I'm well aware of that Commonwealth designation. It was renamed Veterans Day in the US after the Korean War to reflect the service of American veterans of all wars.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

:thumbup:

Cape Codder Loc: Cape Cod

I am one who remembers it as Armistice Day. In elementary school most of our teachers remembered the first Armistice Day and told us their stories of hearing the church bells ring and the stories of their loved ones in the service.

I was fortunate to teach before "memorization was a waste of time" or worse yet "child abuse". I had my students memorize this poem and we recited it at Veterans' Day and Memorial Day exercises at school.

I'm afraid patriotism plays a small role, if any, in our schools today. Sorry, I need to get off this hobbyhorse.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Now I recall the name but never knew the reason for the date. Thanks!

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

Thanks for the reminder.
Jack