November 11th (Veterans Day / Remembrance Day)

In Flanders Fields...

[canuck]

Just thought I'd post one of the best war poems since it's November 11th. The background to this poem is also quite interesting:
[firstworldwar.com...]

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.

- McCrae, John, Lieutenant-Colonel, Canadian Army (1872-1918)

[Rugles]

Love that poem. A Canadian classic.

[canuck]

I especially like the background to the poem (ie. why poppies? - see the link above).

Last summer I was in Normandy, France and I took the tour of the D-Day beaches, cemetaries and museums there... something I'll never forget.

Well, it's hard to forget when your grandfather was a WWII vet, and your grandmother is a British war-bride. ;)

- canuck

[Rugles]

There is a gentleman is this building who is a D-Day vet. We always thank him on days like today. He landed on D plus 5. He says that was close enough to D-Day, we agree.

[HughMungus]

Thanks Canuck!

It's also the day after the Marine Corps birthday. :D