I know I'm a day late and a dollar short (that's an old saying and my weak attempt at humor, for those who haven't heard the saying! hahaha), but I thought it would be nice to post a poem we were taught in grade school in Canada when I was growing up, to honor those who have fallen protecting our freedoms.
In Canada, we celebrated "Remembrance Day" on November 11th. For those of you who may not be aware of it, the Armistice ending the first World War was signed on November 11, 1918, to bring hostilities to an end on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. (Wikipedia) Not only did we recite "In Flander's Fields" every year in the days leading up to November 11, we all wore red plastic poppies that we purchased for 5 cents.
Here's the poem.
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.
馃檹馃檹馃檹
A sincere thank you to all of those from any nation that fought to maintain freedom in the world, whether in World War I or any other conflicts, and the families of those who shared their sacrifice.
KeithO Hudson