Happy Veterans Day! Since Armistice Day marks the end of World War I, I thought it would be appropriate to share one the best-known wartime poems that was written during “the War to End All Wars” – “In Flanders Fields” by Lt. Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918), who served with the Canadian Army.  You can read the history 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.

To those who have served and are serving you have my sincerest thanks.  We owe you a debt of gratitude for your service and sacrifice!

Originally posted on November 11, 2008.

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