Friday, November 11, 2011

Here's To The Heroes

     It's Remembrance Day here in Canada, a day to remember those who have fought, bled, suffered, lived and died to give us the freedoms we enjoy today. A day to honor those who are still fighting today. My brother was one of those- he returned from Afghanistan earlier this year.


     One thing we do here in Canada is wear a poppy to show our support. I wear one every year (and poke myself with it at least twenty times a day). The poppy comes from the poem "In Flanders Fields" written by John McCrae- a Canadian soldier who wrote the poem in Belgium in 1915. Since it's been a long time since I've read it myself, I thought I'd post it here.

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.

     Last week while at my parents house, my dad played me a song that brought tears to my eyes. It happens to be perfect for today. Take a couple of minutes and listen to it and just... Remember.
     Lest We Forget.

Here's To The Heroes, sung by the Ten Tenors

3 comments:

  1. The poppy is such a nice tradition. We really should do it here.

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  2. I love Canada's poppy tradition, and "In Flanders Fields" is so beautiful. Big thank you to your brother and all of the Veterans who've served and are currently serving. :)

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  3. I always make sure to wear a poppy and remember our heroes past and present who sacrifice(d) so much for our freedom. A world of thanks to your brother for fighting for us!

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