Sunday, November 11, 2007

Remembrance Day

Hi there dear reader. I don't normally post on the week-end but today is a very special day, it's Remembrance Day here in Canada. This is the day that marks the end of the First World War (the eleventh day of the eleventh month in the eleventh hour) and the day when we recognize those that have fought in previous wars and, sadly, are still fighting in wars around the world.

The symbol for this day is the poppy and in Canada right around mid-October small poppy pins are sold for people to wear simply to remind them about the sacrifices made by our veterans and soldiers of today so that we can do things like drive a vehicle, live in a house, speak our mind, participate in art fairs and blog. I think it's safe to say that we at least owe it to them to remember their contribution to the freedoms we enjoy today.

As a tribute to soldiers past and present I've posted below the poem written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae in 1915. On the website for the Royal Canadian Legion it gives this explanation of the poem: "His poem speaks of Flanders fields, but the subject is universal - the fear of the dead that they will be forgotten, that their death will have been in vain. Remembrance, as symbolized by the Poppy, is our eternal answer which belies that fear."

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.


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