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
Tilly and I walked passed the War Memorial early this morning - lest we forget.
ReplyDeleteI visited John McCrea's grave in February 2000 - it's in Wimmereux, just south of Calais.
In May 2015 we were at the newly erected statue honouring Lt. Col. John McCrae. & it was the 100th anniversary of his writing the poem & they were streaming the live reading of the poem from Belgium. It was very moving. Today there are minimal allowed attendees at the all the cenotaphs to lay wreaths, but the services are being streamed live. I get very emotional & it's my honour to remember all those that have served & are serving.
DeleteI was standing in my kitchen this morning and suddenly realised what the time was. I put on the TV and the two minutes silence was just about to start, it is such an emotional thing isn't it? The sound of 'The Last Post' always brings a tear to my eye.
ReplyDeleteI cry every service, but I feel it's a privilege to honour those that gave their life & those still serving for my continuing freedoms. The Last Post always does me in to sobs.
DeleteI just watched the wreath-laying ceremony on TV. I appreciate people taking note of the day and honoring our vets. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteAll if not most ceremonies were limited to just a few. I am glad that we as the younger generation, are still honouring the many that gave their lives in any war conflict. Thanks to your Dad for serving.
DeleteIt's one of my favorite poems. November 11th was informally known as Poppy Day, when I was a child and once, when I asked my mother about my name, she said she chose it because I was born on Poppy Day. :)
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to know the history of your name, Poppies are certainly a beautiful flower. All Canadian child learn In Flanders Field poem in primary school, Lt Colonel John is one of Canada's proud sons.
DeleteSuch a wonderful piece of poetry and thank-you for printing it out in full for us. Indeed we must remember and do everything we can to prevent another world war. I think it was Einstein who said that he didn't know how the Third World War would be fought but the fourth would be with sticks and stones.
ReplyDeleteI fear it is human nature to make war. Sadly Einstein could be correct.
DeleteWhat a lovely way to mark the day. I admit that it totally passed me by, as I have been staying off social media and television amid our national nonsense. But I suppose it doesn't hurt to remember them on this day also.
ReplyDeleteThere's so many displays & banners for Remembrance Day in the community as it is a very special day of remembrance along with the sale of lapel poppies a few weeks before. There's an unwritten observance that Christmas doesn't get displayed in stores until after Remembrance Day. Now it's Christmas everywhere!
DeleteBeautiful photo. We had televised ceremonies here on Saturday night as well as on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. I lit a candle and watched them all as usual and cried as usual! There seems to be a new thing here of standing at one's front door for the two minutes from 11.00. I hadn't seen or heard anything about it but found out about it to my cost when out walking on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteI saw the service from Whitehall with the Royals on Sunday. I read because of England's lockdown standing on the doorstep was the next best thing to attending services. It was discouraged to attend the cenotaph services, but the veterans were out in full force in spite of the request. I usually watch the services from Ottawa.
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