[i]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[/i]
As this is Remembrance Day long weekend, I want to start a post to remember those who so selflessly provided valiant severice to protect our freedoms that we all cherish so much today.
We all know our soldiers are there for nothing but the best reasons, to protect what we as free countries stand for.
Those who fought so bravely and those who supported the war efforts on the home front will never be equalled in my eyes. I have met many WWI veterans as well as WWII vets and have had long converstaions with them, drawing out their true reflections always brings tears to my eyes and sends shivers down my spine, as I realize just how much these brave citizens gave up to give me what I have today. I take it as a very personal gift, not just one for my country but one that I must be personally thankful of from the deepest depths of my soul.
My heart goes out to all those brave men and women, my gratitude could not be put into words beyond the simple ‘loss for words’ opinion I express here. In reality, it is so much more of a pride and gratitude within my soul.
It’s a feeling and a knowledge of the horrendous sacrifices made for the sake of my future. Sacrifices that would be atrocious to even consider in our modern world, that were given up without question by my ancestors.
May their god(s) watch over them and bless them all, and lest we never forget them for what they have done for us.
I hear that while people in the US are aware of and do remember Rememberance Day, the poppy, as a sign of remembrance, is seemingly slipping to the wayside, which somewhat saddens me.
I remember placing a poppy wreath on a memorial when I was a Boy Scout.
Standing next to the veterans of WWI and II made me feel so humbled, yet I stood at attention so proudly bedside these men and women, pushed out my (THEN VERY SMALL) chest and saluted as best I could. They needn’t say a word, their pride and painful memories were clearly felt by all those around them and nothing I encounter will ever replace such memories in my head.
I have asked vets how they feel that this day is becoming more and more transparent each year, the part that upsets me most is to find that really don’t need US to remember, because THEY will never forget.
[b][u]Please[/u][/b] go out of your way to find a poppy, pin it to your lapel and remember these people with pride. It’s hardly an inconvenience when we consider what they sacrificed for us.