In Flanders Fields
I found a letter written decades ago by my grandmother in her youth (click on photo for larger version). It referred to poppies and fallen soldiers of War War One.
“I have tried to illustrate in my poppy poster the need for all American citizens to help the disabled war veterans. And I sincerely hope that I have succeeded in doing so.
“We owe those brave men who fought for our country, our loyalty. And we should show our loyalty to them by buying their emblem.
“Do we ever think what sacrifice they made in supporting our country when they were called to do so? Can’t we try and make up to them in a small way for that great sacrifice they made for us?
“Help Make His Future Brighter Than His Past.”
~LeVerne Finch
A perfect entry for Memorial Day. And the poem inspiring my grandmother’s plea, written by Canadian John McCrae in 1915 after witnessing the death of his friend the day before.
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.
~ John McCrae
Both letter and poem just as appropriate today as when they were originally written.
Filed under: History, Life Lessons, Family
It’s wonderful to see that McCrae’s poem is not just popular in Canada…I think that it’s one of the most beautiful remembrance poems ever written.
I live in the town where John McCrae was born, and needless to say poppies are a very big symbol around here. Around Remembrance Day (our Memorial Day), they are also a huge fundraiser for veteran’s organizations.
Thanks for sharing your grandmother’s letter.
in england we don’t have a memorial day in springtime, just ‘remembrance day’ on november 11th (as we have ‘veterans day’ here). in the weeks leading up to it the ‘royal british legion’ (veteran’s association) rasies funds for old soldiers and wounded vets by selling poppies for whatever you want to donate (think along the lines of salvation army bell ringers at christmas here in the USA)
so by the time remembrance day arrives (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day) most people in england is wearing a simple paper poppy in their lapel (http://is.gd/nlh).
it’s something i wish we had here.
there is also a service in the Albert Hall in london and at the end, while everyone stands silent, they release millions of paper poppy flowers from the ceiling and they fall gently down to remind everyone of the fallen in wars.
you can watch it here. http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ndeiw16Lk90
it’s one of the most stirring things i have ever seen. you will see some of the service men on whom the poppies fall are crying.
your letter touched me. it’s good to remember what they lived through and how different things might have been if they hadn’t been so brave.
You’re being featured on Five Star Friday:
http://tinyurl.com/4w2evh
“Help Make His Future Brighter Than His Past.” -
Love this. Will hang it on my “wall” at work…and will carry it with me when I finally get a job in social work….awesome.
Thanks, Sterkworks