As the day draws to a close and most of us have taken part in honoring those in uniform and those ho have served - especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country (that's all of us) I remember a poem that I learned in grade school back in the fifties and recited with my classmates in our school's Memorial Day Exercises... as appropriate now as it was then and more meaningful now that I understand its words.
Composed during the First World War by Canadian military doctor Major John McCrae.
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.
Will somebody please blow taps for those who have died?
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