In 1976 I spent the summer in Belgium. I frequently wore a red zip-up hoodie with a Canadian flag on the sleeve. Frequently while traveling the countryside people stopped me to comment on my flag. These older and middle-aged people bore in their faces some of life's hard times. Without fail they said, "We remember the Canadians - they liberated us."
Those who lived with war's reality every day, in view of woods where soldiers fought and hid, in view of field torn still by mines and bombs, in view of buildings destroyed, and memories of lives lost never forgot.
And we, so far from war's reality, would do well to remember. Today soldiers from many nations serve their countries, and we who remain behind so far from war's chaos. Political rhetoric aside, let us remember.
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, May 1915
Great post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLovely post
ReplyDeleteNice post. My father, father-in-law and hubby.....all vets. So, thanks for the tribute.
ReplyDeleteDuring all of the years we lived in Europe we attended Remembrance Day services in Canadian graveyards on foreign soil. I hope we never, ever forget the sacrifice that is made for our peace.
ReplyDeleteNever forget...
ReplyDeleteLorrie, what a great tribute. We are so fortunate we live in peace. And will never forget.
ReplyDeleteps. I love all the same fall pleasures you do. xo Lidy