Remembrance Day ~ Lest We Forget the supreme sacrifice made by the men and women of our Canadian Armed Forces!
“In Flanders Fields” written during the First World War by Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. He was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915, after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. According to legend, fellow soldiers retrieved the poem after McCrae, initially unsatisfied with his work, discarded it.
It is one of the most popular and most quoted poems from the war. Its references to the red poppies that grew over the graves of fallen soldiers resulted in the remembrance poppy becoming one of the world’s most recognized memorial symbols for soldiers who have died in conflict. The poem and poppy are prominent Remembrance Day symbols throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, particularly in Canada, where “In Flanders Fields” is one of the nation’s best known literary works.
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.
(Photo attribution – )
It’s a beautiful poem. I have noticed over the past few years that I’ve been on FB and gotten to know Canadians, that you guys really observe Remembrance Day. More than we observe Veterans Day I think….It was either a day off of school but I never got it off when I worked. We just didn’t get mail that day. And it’s also an excuse to have pre-Black Friday sales because the people who do have the day off will start their Christmas shopping.
I am so thankful for all the brave men and omen who have sacrificed so that we may be free!
You know no matter how many times I read or hear that poem In Flanders Fields, I still get goose bumps and have to fight to keep from tearing up. As an older adult, I am acutely aware of the fragility of life and to think there are those who sacrifice their young lives for our benefit still humbles me. Allow me to say…..just for the record….THANK YOU TO ALL THE VETS!
Very true Pat and I agree, we should be very thankful for these brave men and women, many who gave their lives for us.
Having had WW II Vets, in our family and having a grandson still in the Military, brings the reason for Remembrance Day even closer to home. We are so proud of the service they gave and continue to give, so that we may be free today.
Well said Kathy, we are very proud!
Love this. Thanks Monica!
Thanks Bobbi-Jo! When are you coming to see us again? We miss you and Frank!
We are two brothers and traditional blacksmiths and living near the ‘Flanders Fields’ .We are tinking every day to the people who are died here for our freedom. Today, the 11th of november we waked up urly to celebrate this on the fields. thank you. Greetings from Flanders, Belgium, Europe.
Steven and Brecht Dujardyn.
Steven and Brecht Dujardyn.