At noon, we attended a flag raising ceremony by Civil War re-enactors. When I first mentioned we'd be going, Colin was less than enthusiastic about "Watching some old people dress up as older people." Shane contributed his own quip that all we lacked there was someone dressed as John Wilkes Booth. All kidding aside, I couldn't help but feel appreciation, admiration and awe for the soldiers who've served, and are yet serving, our country in defense of righteous principles. Dan and I were surprised to read a headstone of a soldier from the Spanish-American War. Sometime I'd like to wander longer there, reading more of the headstones. Actually touching them made the sacrifices of war more real for me.
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.
The story of the writing of the poem:
2 comments:
That was wonderful, we do have so much to be grateful for and we do need to stop a minute and remember those you have sacrificed so much so that we can enjoy the wonderful qualiity of life taht we do have. I am so glad you had that oppertunity to be there and Iam glad you had a nice visit withsome of the family at Jordan's gravesight. Love ya bunches.
PS,
I think those that have gone on before still have a sense of humor too and they know teenage boys and young men!!!!
Yes, I think you're right. They laugh with us at our sons' antics, I imagine.
Post a Comment