On November 11 please give thanks for a few moments and reflect on all the Canadians and Newfoundlanders that paid the ultimate price for the freedom we enjoy in Canada today.



In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

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.

[ 11-07-2003, 05:38: Message edited by: Cariboo ]

My daughter is in Grade 6 and they have to memorize the poem, and say it out loud in class. It's good to remember. Being Dutch I have much to be thankful for; I'd be speaking German now if not for external intervention in which many Canadians were involved, and gave their lives.

Frans
Terra Incognita North America
www.terrahunt.com

Cariboo,

A great poem! I find it very heart felt that Canadians remember their veterans the same date we do in the US.............Anyone know the history how this came to be?

Whatever the case, from one US Veteran to all your fallen Canadian Veterans and their families for the ultimate sacrifice, I salute you...........

CK -

WW1 ended on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1917. Hence our Remembrance Day, and your Veterans Day.

There is a very notable difference in how the day is observed. In the U.S., there are marching bands and celebrations of returned heros.

In Canada, it is a very somber day of grieving, remembering those who did NOT return.

Reply to Flanders Fields


Oh! sleep in peace where poppies grow;
The torch your falling hands let go
Was caught by us, again held high,
A beacon light in Flanders sky
That dims the stars to those below.
You are our dead, you held the foe,
And ere the poppies cease to blow,
We'll prove our faith in you who lie
In Flanders Fields.
Oh! rest in peace, we quickly go
To you who bravely died, and know
In other fields was heard the cry,
For freedom's cause, of you who lie,
So still asleep where poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.

As in rumbling sound, to and fro,
The lightning flashes, sky aglow,
The mighty hosts appear, and high
Above the din of battle cry,
Scarce heard amidst the guns below,
Are fearless hearts who fight the foe,
And guard the place where poppies grow.
Oh! sleep in peace, all you who lie
In Flanders Fields.

And still the poppies gently blow,
Between the crosses, row on row.
The larks, still bravely soaring high,
Are singing now their lullaby
To you who sleep where poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.

- John Mitchell

I think that in Canada, at least, the torch was put out in a giant socialist vat. - Dan

Yes, let us remember all the Canadians.