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Author Topic:   Memorial Day 2015

jimh posted 05-23-2015 01:02 PM ET (US)
For many years I knew only the first lines of this poem. Thanks to the internet, many years ago I was able to locate the rest of it, and also some information about its history and author. I think it is a wonderful expression of a feeling we all share deeply. I am particularly touched by the last three lines.
--
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.
Lt. Col. John McCrae (1872-1918)
--
For more information about the poem and its author there is now an extensive article on Wikipedia.
saumon posted 05-23-2015 02:26 PM ET (US)
Although they were both made to remember the sacrifice some people made for their country, one must not confuse Memorial Day with Veteran Day, which took place in November (also called Remembrance Day, Armistice Day or Poppy Day).
jimh posted 05-23-2015 04:08 PM ET (US)
Quoting from Wikipedia:
"Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces."
Cf.: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day
The intention of Memorial Day was not to become a special time for outdoor cooking or to mark the start of boating season in the northern States.
AZdave posted 05-23-2015 07:35 PM ET (US)
We were lucky enough to spend two days in Ypres the week before last. There were lots of poppies singly and in wreaths on the UK memorial. I think about 400000 were killed within a few miles of the town over four years of trench warfare. The poppies are a sort of weed in areas of disturbed soil, and with the shelling all the soil was disturbed at that time.
RevengeFamily posted 05-24-2015 07:15 AM ET (US)
Thanks for posting Jim...
Memorial Day... It's not about a three day weekend, the beginning of the summertime season or a barbecue... It's about remembering those that gave their lives to protect our freedom. Keep those Patriots who paid the ultimate price in your thoughts and prayers all the time...
Norm
Some information about proper flag etiquette... http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
Jefecinco posted 05-25-2015 09:09 AM ET (US)
As I was putting up bunting at our neighborhood entrance yesterday I was surprised and pleased at the number of passers by who saluted the display with a honk, wave and smile. People continue to respect our war dead.
I can't read "In Flanders Fields" or hear the poem without tearing up.
Although, strictly speaking, Memorial Day is in honor of those who have died I choose to also remember those wounded and damaged survivors and their families.
God bless us all.
Butch
Jefecinco posted 05-25-2015 09:16 AM ET (US)
I wish we continued to observe Memorial Day on May 30th which is the actual or original day. Although it's a little eccentric and not now understood by many I leave our patriotic decorations on display until actual Memorial day has passed.
Butch
saumon posted 05-25-2015 09:44 PM ET (US)
Rare color World War II-era photos from Life magazine.
http://imgur.com/a/bLyB6?gallery
andygere posted 05-26-2015 12:49 AM ET (US)
Jim, thanks for posting that moving poem, it provides a moment to reflect each Memorial Day.
capnrik posted 05-26-2015 01:39 AM ET (US)
http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/courage.jpg

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Author	Topic: Memorial Day 2015
jimh	posted 05-23-2015 01:02 PM ET (US) For many years I knew only the first lines of this poem. Thanks to the internet, many years ago I was able to locate the rest of it, and also some information about its history and author. I think it is a wonderful expression of a feeling we all share deeply. I am particularly touched by the last three lines. -- 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. Lt. Col. John McCrae (1872-1918) -- For more information about the poem and its author there is now an extensive article on Wikipedia.
saumon	posted 05-23-2015 02:26 PM ET (US) Although they were both made to remember the sacrifice some people made for their country, one must not confuse Memorial Day with Veteran Day, which took place in November (also called Remembrance Day, Armistice Day or Poppy Day).
jimh	posted 05-23-2015 04:08 PM ET (US) Quoting from Wikipedia: "Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces." Cf.: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day The intention of Memorial Day was not to become a special time for outdoor cooking or to mark the start of boating season in the northern States.
AZdave	posted 05-23-2015 07:35 PM ET (US) We were lucky enough to spend two days in Ypres the week before last. There were lots of poppies singly and in wreaths on the UK memorial. I think about 400000 were killed within a few miles of the town over four years of trench warfare. The poppies are a sort of weed in areas of disturbed soil, and with the shelling all the soil was disturbed at that time.
RevengeFamily	posted 05-24-2015 07:15 AM ET (US) Thanks for posting Jim... Memorial Day... It's not about a three day weekend, the beginning of the summertime season or a barbecue... It's about remembering those that gave their lives to protect our freedom. Keep those Patriots who paid the ultimate price in your thoughts and prayers all the time... Norm Some information about proper flag etiquette... http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
Jefecinco	posted 05-25-2015 09:09 AM ET (US) As I was putting up bunting at our neighborhood entrance yesterday I was surprised and pleased at the number of passers by who saluted the display with a honk, wave and smile. People continue to respect our war dead. I can't read "In Flanders Fields" or hear the poem without tearing up. Although, strictly speaking, Memorial Day is in honor of those who have died I choose to also remember those wounded and damaged survivors and their families. God bless us all. Butch
Jefecinco	posted 05-25-2015 09:16 AM ET (US) I wish we continued to observe Memorial Day on May 30th which is the actual or original day. Although it's a little eccentric and not now understood by many I leave our patriotic decorations on display until actual Memorial day has passed. Butch
saumon	posted 05-25-2015 09:44 PM ET (US) Rare color World War II-era photos from Life magazine. http://imgur.com/a/bLyB6?gallery
andygere	posted 05-26-2015 12:49 AM ET (US) Jim, thanks for posting that moving poem, it provides a moment to reflect each Memorial Day.
capnrik	posted 05-26-2015 01:39 AM ET (US) http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/courage.jpg