IN FLANDERS
Monday, Nov. 11, 2019
This is a day for remembering. And celebrating the heroism of warriors in wars gone by, while lamenting that conflict still exists. Each year on this day we stand silent at 11 AM, we salute those who fought and died, those who fought and returned, those who stood in uniform in peace-time, ready to go into harm’s way for country and fellow citizens.
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.
We cannot know that experience because we did not stand with them in battle, did not defend a post with them, did not sit with them, did not know them, and did not die with them – though we must remember them. Not just today, not only on this day every year, but between here and then. All over the planet wrapped in ideology and flags, our warriors stand ready to fight for us. For them, and for all those who went before them, we pause today …
