| By Maureen McGowan | November 11, 2009 |
It seems my posts have been rather maudlin of late, but since today is November 11th, any other topic seemed inappropriate.
In Canada, today is Remembrance Day and while it goes by other names in other places, most countries that were allies in WWI use November 11, (the day the armistice to end that war was signed in 1918), as a day to remember those who have fallen during wartime. WWI was the first war in which Canadians fought as Canadians (as opposed to British soldiers) and according to historians, the so-called war to end all wars (wishful thinking), played a huge part in forming who we are as a nation.
Here in Canada, and I believe throughout most Commonwealth Countries, we wear poppies this time of year as a symbol of remembrance. I vividly remember the minutes of silence we observed, all wearing our poppies, at 11:00 am each November 11, when I was in elementary school.
The poppy tradition comes from the poem, “In Flanders Fields”, perhaps the most famous poem of the early 20th century and written by Canadian physician John McCrae after witnessing the death of his friend on the battlefields near Ypres in Belgium. Sadly, McCrae died just 3 years later of pneumonia, while still serving as a doctor in the army.
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.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 – 1918)
So, in these difficult times, when many nations are at war again, let us not forget the horrible things man has done unto man.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:46 am
What a wonderful post Maureen. And yes, let us never forget. Those men (and women) who stepped up to defend our liberties and freedom need to always be remembered. So many of them gave their lives so we didn’t have to. And those who fought and survived know that they could have easily been one of those fallen comrades if not for Fate or the Grace of God or whatever. They deserve our gratitude and our thoughts.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Maureen,
A fitting and beautiful Veterans Day tribute to those who fell and those who survived that war. And especially poignant when so many of our men and women are once again fighting and dying on foreign soil to keep us safe.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:19 am
AMEN. That’s interesting about the poppy, Maureen. I did not know this. Thanks!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Maureen, thank you for the lovely tribute to the men and woman who served in the past and to those who now risk their lives to defend freedom.
This is especially poignant to me this year as my youngest son, Adam, is now an army reservist.
~Caroline
November 11th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Maureen, what a lovely post and, also, and excellent reminder. We know several people in the military right now, and I’m always more than a little in awe of their dedication and courage.
p.s. The poppy is one of my favorite flowers.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:57 am
What a love tribute, Maureen, thank you.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Maureen, thank you so much for this tribute. I hope everyone stops to remember and honour all our troops past and present.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Thank you, Maureen!
And thank you to all our veterans and troops and their families.
A big shout out to my Grandpap, who fought the Battle of the Bulge and helped to liberate Paris and has the scars and the stories to bring it all to life.
And to my BIL–just back from his fourth tour. Here’s hoping there will be no need for more.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:17 am
My thoughts are with everyone with close friends and especially family serving now. May everyone come home safe.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
It would be nice if we never had to endure another war, but that doesn’t seem to be the nature of man. And since that is so, I’m thankful for the people willing to put on the uniform. My husband has two cousins in the military — one Air Force, one Army — and one has already done at least one tour in Iraq.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Maureen, thank you, what a wonderful tribute. My thoughts go out to everyone currently serving their countries as well as all those we’ve lost.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Touching and appropriate, Maureen. I didn’t know the “why” of the poppies, but I do remember them. Thank you for sharing the poignant poem that inspired their symbolism.
May God bless not only those who serve, have served, or will serve, but the families and friends who hope and wait and pray and, most of all, remember.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Thank you, Maureen. And thank you to all the men and women who fought and died for the freedom that allows us to tell our stories. Peace.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Oh wow Maureen. I did not know that was where the poppy idea came from. Interesting…
Nice post.
November 12th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Thanks for the poem today, Maureen. So simple, yet says so much.