In Flanders Fields, by DVM
It is good to remind ourselves of what Memorial Day means. It is a day to remember all those who gave their lives for our country. It is celebrated on the 4th Monday of May. It is sometimes confused by the naïve with Veterans’ Day. That day, however, is celebrated every November 11th.
This poem is said to be widely read on Memorial Day, though I had not heard it until this week. It was written by a participant in WW I who was a medical doctor and combat soldier, Dr. John McCrae, reportedly after he buried his friend and fellow soldier at Flanders Fields in Europe.
Notice the mission the writer asks from those who are alive and remain. Also note that one handwritten version by Dr. McCrae has “grow” instead of “blow” in the first line.
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae 1919
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 live, 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 am grateful to all who have given their life that we may be free. God bless. – DVM
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
3 Comments
Comments are closed.
5
My Father would always sell poppies.
He is spinning in his grave while guestapo hitler, Gretchen Whitmer destroyed everything he bed for (DAV!).
America has gone to hell.
Update: I spent the weekend camping with a soldier and his family. It was a real privilege. At 3 pm we gathered all the adults and kids and he read this poem aloud and made a few comments to the younger generation. I then played Military Taps on the trumpet across the wide lake. It was a haunting sound and it echoed back around the lake. Interestingly someone else played Taps down the lake from another site. Our eyes welled up with tears. Rest in Peace Beloved, You Are Not Forgotten….