Final Protective Fire

Sunday, November 10, 2002

 

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, The Great War as it was called for two decades, was ended by an armistice. This day was called Armistice Day until renamed Veteran's Day. The Great War was the most horrific war Europe was to see - at least until September of 1939 brought on its sequel.

In honor of Veteran's Day, I post the following.

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

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.

We will not break faith with ye.

Here is a small note about the origin of this poem.

Robin 7:20 PM