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.
Such a haunting poem. It is interesting to note the difference between the UK and the US in their remembrance of WWI. I would say it all but forgotten here in the US. I guess that is because we did not suffer the massive struggle and death that Europe did. It’s sad because the history of WWI is hardly taught. The average America could tell you very little about it or even have an idea as to when it happened. If it is taught it is given as a prelude to WWII and the emphasis is on the Versailles Treaty. They just neglect to mention all of the millions of deaths and other God awful atrocities.
I know that Veteran’s Day in the UK has moved beyond Armistice Day and now all UK veterans of all wars are remembered. That is pretty much how it is here. I like the fact you guys still do the silence at 11:00 AM. Here Veteran’s Day is pretty low key in November. The President lays the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The VFW puts flags on veteran’s tomb. Our Veteran’s Day is celebrated much more in May. That was a tradition that started after the Civil War and was originally called Decoration Day or Remembrance Day. It got its official title of Veteran’s Day in the late 1960’s and is a national holiday
How beautiful and haunting