Friday, November 11, 2005

Flanders Fields

IN FLANDERS FIELDS 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.

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

A heartfelt thanks to those Veterans and the highest respect to those who lost their lives. We would not be here today without your sacrifices.

14 comments:

The Raven said...

Nice Tribute. My Grandfather served in WW2 as a pilot. Luckily, he made it back from the war and lived to be about 80 before dying of natural causes. I never knew him, but he seemed like a great man and a war hero. My dad went to Vietnam, and I have a 3rd cousin in Iraq. Though some of us don't agree with the cause, we must remember and appreciate our men and women that are fighthing for us.

Scott & Julia said...

Lest we forget!

Snooze said...

I was trying to remember the words today. Thanks for posting "Flanders Fields"

myke said...

more folks need to recognize what you've nicely pointed out ..

mainja said...

was it just in guelph (where mccrae grew up) that we had to recite this on every remembrance day, or was that an ontario/canada-wide thing?

Michelle said...

Wow! I haven't seen or heard that poem for a long time....I am Canadian but have lived in the states for 17 years now. THanks posting that! I, too, used to have to recite it at school on every Remembrance day :)

Jess said...

Amen, Epi.

CoffeeDog said...

I am a vet but didn't get the day off! waaaa. Only those who served should get the day off :-)

Marc said...

Very powerful. Thanks for that! We often take our veterans for granted and they should be the receipients of our grateful respect.

The Catshark said...

Wow this was awesome! I have a few interesting war stories in my family. My grandfather fled Germany in WW2 and came over here to fight on our side. The immegration office changed his last name and he fought a brave fight. he lived well into his 80's and died doing something he loved, watering his prize winning roses.

My father was in the air force and fought in Vietnam. I have several friends that are now fighting bravely in Iraq.

epicurist said...

Raven - It is true isn't it? We may not agree with war, but respect and thanks to those who sacrificed so much are still important.

Scott & Julia - Welcome and thanks for the comment.

Snooze - I was also trying to remember and decided to google it.

myke - I think there was more attention and respect, so thats a good thing.

mainja - we did it here in Toronto as well.

Chelle - Welcome and it has been a long time since I read that poem in its entirety.

jess - Thanks.

Coffee - And thanks to you for serving.

Marc - Very true.

Catshark - You and Raven have similar stories!

Ethan - I hadn't even realised it was in a song. I will have to google that as well.

Anonymous said...

Nice post. Very moving.

Bougie Black Boy said...

I remember in 8th grade we had to memorize this poem. . .

epicurist said...

Mr. Brian - Thanks, but they really aren't my words. Just a quick thought and a poem. :)

SEJ II- I wonder if it was read in many places other than Canada. How interesting.