Veterans Day / Remebrance Day

Wednesday, 11 November 2009 | by Pat's Picks

When I was growing up in Canada, we stopped what we were doing in school at 11:00 am on November 11th to mark Remembrance Day.  We memorized the poem “In Flanders Fields” to remember those who died in military service. 

So, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, here are the words of Canadian Army Lieutenant John McCrae:

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.

(Image from The McCrae House museum)

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