In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
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.
Thanks Tyler. My grardfather is in one of those fields. He died in the “Lost Battalion”, September, 1917. He never saw my mother as she was born after he shipped out.
This, to me, is one of the most moving Poems I’ve heard. So simple, yet so meaningful.
No matter what your politics are, I hope that everyone here takes a moment to think of the sacrifices that those in the military, and their families, have made and continue to make, both in time of war and in time of peace, in order to preserve our way of life. I know that I will be thinking of them.
There was a troop train that was set up for the vets from Halifax to here in Ottawa for the National ceremonies. We (a few hundred people and some school kids) met them (I’d say surprised them) with a pipe band and the colours, it was a pretty great day.
I had the pleasure of visiting the site of McCRae’s dressing station where he wrote the poem this summer (no poppies there oddly enough). Flanders is a special place that deserves a visit.
My Great-Grandfather Charlie Griffiths service cross from WWI. He was mustard-gassed at Ypres. He lived for about 10 years after in very poor health, eventually coughed out most of his lungs. This is but a coin in the enormous cost of any war, much suffering and tragedy to pay for our peace. Lest we forget…
St. Julien is a remarkable monument.