Memorial Day, observed on the 4th Monday of May (in the US) is the day we recognize and remember our FALLEN military. In contrast to Veterans' Day, when we recognize our LIVING veterans. However, I feel that every year, we lose hundreds of WW2, Korean War, and Vietnam veterans. I implore you to look around at living veterans around you this Memorial Day, and be aware that many of them will not be here next year--so let's honor those elderly as we honor our fallen.
The VFW--Veterans of Foreign Wars--will be selling "Buddy Poppies" this weekend, some of the funds will benefit Veteran's homes and other projects. So, as you see folks wearing, or selling Buddy Poppies, consider this poem, written during WW1, that "War to end all wars":
In 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.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (November 30, 1872 – January 28, 1918) was a Canadian poet, physician, author, artist and soldier during World War I, and a surgeon during the Second Battle of Ypres, in Belgium. He is best known for writing the famous war memorial poem "In Flanders Fields". McCrae died of pneumonia near the end of the war.
The VFW--Veterans of Foreign Wars--will be selling "Buddy Poppies" this weekend, some of the funds will benefit Veteran's homes and other projects. So, as you see folks wearing, or selling Buddy Poppies, consider this poem, written during WW1, that "War to end all wars":
In 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.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (November 30, 1872 – January 28, 1918) was a Canadian poet, physician, author, artist and soldier during World War I, and a surgeon during the Second Battle of Ypres, in Belgium. He is best known for writing the famous war memorial poem "In Flanders Fields". McCrae died of pneumonia near the end of the war.