"In Flanders Fields"

For various reasons I haven't mentioned Veterans Day but it's a significant day in my mind. My father was in WWI, my half brother in WWII and Korea, three nephews in Viet Nam, my son in Desert Storm. These are only a few - there are other family members who served during war/conflict. During WWI in France and Belgium wild poppies sprouted amid the death and destruction of battle. Thus the poppie became a symbol of sacrifice.

This poem - written in 1915 by Canadian Army surgeon Lt. Col. John McCrae - marks the connection between sacrifice and poppies.

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.

Regardless of how you feel about war and conflict please remember all men and women serving in harm's way and their families. Their sacrifice is great.