Today is Memorial Day, the unofficial beginning of summer. Like most Americans, I will spend the day with family–eating and having fun. As we enjoy the day, I hope we give a thought to the men and women who have given their lives in the service of our country. We are forever in their debt.
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.~John McCrae (1872-1918)
I remember memorizing this poem in school.
It’s a sad poem, but perfect for the day.
Happy recuperating from memorial day. (Its tuesday as I write this) :
If you have to recuperate, I’m assuming you had a good time.
And so sad that young men and women are still giving their lives . . .
Yes, it is.