It’s Veterans Week here in Canada, a week where we remember the sacrifice that so many brave soldiers have made for our freedom. My grandfather, who immigrated from Italy, found for Canada in WWII, which gives me such a sense of pride for his bravery.
At 11:00 a.m. today, November 11, 2010, there will be a minute of silence for the entire country. How will you remember?
In Flanders Fields written 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.
I am so thankful to be born in Canada and for those who have given so much so that I can continue to be thankful for our freedoms.
Thank you, veterans everywhere.
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Hi Karen, god bless all those who fought for our freedoms. We must always be aware and not take for granted the life we live day in and day out. It would not be possible if it were not for solders who fought to have the freedoms we have each and everyday.
Terry Conti
Terry Conti´s last blog ..Why is a Mailing List Sooo Important
Welcome Terry,
You’re so right that we shouldn’t take for granted what the soldiers (and their families) do for the rest of us, especially when they sacrifice so much. I know that Canada doesn’t have the biggest military presence in the world – but it has the soldiers with the biggest hearts
Thanks for stopping by,
Karen
Thanks for taking a moment to remember the veterans. No matter what country or side for any war I think it is very important to take a moment to think about all the people who have died to protect their countries and ways of life.
War can be a horrible thing and there is nothing worse than the promise of all the young men throughout history, Fathers, Brothers and sons who have given the ultimate sacrifice. The only thing that comes close are the men (and women) who come back maimed and hurt. They deserve respect and admiration every day of the year, but having a day (or a week in Canada) where their sacrifice is specifically noted is a great start.
I like your choice of the poem. World War I has pretty much become a forgotten war, since that generation is pretty much all gone by now, But it is important never to forget the lessons of the past.
The poem also reminded me song my brother always plays -he also made me promise to visit Flanders on my trip- It is actually an Irish folk song that has been done quite a few times called the Green Fields of France.
Oh how do you do, young Willy McBride
Do you mind if I sit here down by your graveside
And rest for a while in the warm summer sun
I’ve been walking all day, and I’m nearly done
And I see by your gravestone you were only nineteen
When you joined the great fallen in 1916
Well I hope you died quick
And I hope you died clean
Or Willy McBride, was is it slow and obscene
Did they beat the drums slowly
Did they play the fife lowly
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down
Did the band play the last post and chorus
Did the pipes play the Flowers of the Forest
And did you leave a wife or a sweetheart behind
In some loyal heart is your memory enshrined
And though you died back in 1916
To that loyal heart you’re forever nineteen
Or are you a stranger without even a name
Forever enshrined behind some old glass pane
In an old photograph torn, tattered, and stained
And faded to yellow in a brown leather frame
Did they beat the drums slowly
Did they play the fife lowly
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down
Did the band play the last post and chorus
Did the pipes play the flowers of the forest
The sun shining down on these green fields of France
The warm wind blows gently and the red poppies dance
The trenches have vanished long under the plow
No gas, no barbed wire, no guns firing now
But here in this graveyard that’s still no mans land
The countless white crosses in mute witness stand
To man’s blind indifference to his fellow man
And a whole generation were butchered and damned
Did they beat the drums slowly
Did they play the fife lowly
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down
Did the band play the last post and chorus
Did the pipes play the flowers of the forest
And I can’t help but wonder oh Willy McBride
Do all those who lie here know why they died
Did you really believe them when they told you the cause
Did you really believe that this war would end wars
Well the suffering, the sorrow, the glory, the shame
The killing and dying it was all done in vain
Oh Willy McBride it all happened again
And again, and again, and again, and again
Did they beat the drums slowly
Did they play the fife lowly
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down
Did the band play the last post and chorus
Did the pipes play the flowers of the forest
Steve´s last blog ..10 Ways to Reuse and Recycle your Web Content
I agree that we don’t do as much as we can for those who have paid the ultimate price and for those who come back less than whole, Steve.
Thanks for the introduction to a new (to me) Irish folk song
That’s fantastic that you were able to pay tribute to the soldiers when you were in Flanders. I could only imagine how emotional that would be.
Btw, you’ve won the award for the longest comment ever on my site
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts,
Karen
Wonderful sentiments Karen. I remember every day as my uncle flew Spitfires through the whole war and survived while many of his friends did not. I have his memoirs and they are poignant, tragic,sobering and touching all in one. I think about him all the time and the sacrifice he and others made so that today we live in peace in a nation of our choice. Forgetting is not an option.
John Sherry´s last blog ..Why I Want Love
No, forgetting is not an option, John.
I always wonder what I would do if I was born during any of the World Wars or in different circumstances. It’s humbling to realize that people are ready to give up their lives and fight for the rest of us. We can always remember their sacrifices and the honour that they have.
Thanks for sharing,
Karen
Karen,
How thoughtful post! We should remember veterans for many sacrifices they did. I wished however, that there were no wars in future and all mankind can leave together without having to go for a war. I know it is not practical maybe, it is wishful thought though.
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