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In Flander’s Fields

by

Lt. Col. John McCrae

 In Flanders fields the poppies grow
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.

Today is Veteran's Day. A day of honor for our men and women who not only fought in wars fighting for Democracy but to honor ALL military personnel within the five branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy, and we mustn't forget our National Guard who on a daily basis, 24/7 help with the operations of the force that protects us and the world from harm. If it weren't for them we can only imagine what our lives would be like.

In the years immediately following World War I and only up until recently, governments and the whole of society, had not accepted the responsibility for those incapacitated and bereft as a result of war. This day marks the realization of what they, retired or disabled veterans have done and even those who are active duty continuing to do for us. It seems we forget our troops are there, the past and what they did for us but it is not true. It is not out of disrespect or selfishness or taking them for granted it is because they are our resolve just knowing and understanding they are there at all times that we can go about our daily lives.

In November 1918, Moina Michael, saw how the men and women were forgotten and the difficulties they endured when coming home. She read the poem "In Flander's Field" by Lt. Col. John McCrae. She being so moved by it had responded to him:

We Shall Keep the Faith

 

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet - to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.

Today, many have heard the story and it is legend now that the battle field at Flander was so soaked in blood from the soldiers who died there, not just U.S. but allied soldiers as well; Earth absorbed their blood and the following year red poppies had grown in the field.

Although the poem "In Flander's Field" never stated the color of the poppy, Moina Michael designed the red poppy representing the blood lost and the task at hand helping veterans return to society. Creating fund raisers and selling the poppies that were hand- made she gathered the proceeds to be used to help the veterans and their families. She felt it was the least she could do. Promoting to anyone who would listen. They should not be forgotten!

So one can see the importance for us to reflect on their courage, their strength, their ability to stay united defending us so we may go about our daily lives.

Let us take this time to thank each veteran for their service, including our active duty military. Thank them for being our silent strength, our resolve giving us the unequivocal feelings of safety, security, and the sense of knowing we and our rights as individuals are protected.

As we rally around those in need during and after a disaster do not forget the National Guard and Coast Guard and local first responders who were "deployed" to serve us during the recent storms; we need to rally around our veterans as well, welcoming them back and accepting them into our society.

Thank You!