Memorial Day

Until the last year or so, I never knew that people wore poppies on Memorial Day and I never heard (or read) the poem, In Flander's Fields. I understand that many people had to memorize the poem during their school years a few decades ago. It is a beautiful poem that sums up the day. I have decided to share it here:

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

I looked up the meaning of this poem and found two great sites to visit. This one explains Memorial Day.

This one explains the story behind the poem.

This week, our local radio station granted wish #8 of a 20 wish program they are sponsoring. It was timely as the wish was for a 20 year old widow who's husband was killed in Iraq. She is pregnant (due in July) with their first child. He was killed the day before his 24th birthday. Here is the story of his funeral. Finally, here are the pictures of her receiving the wish made by her Mother and an Aunt. If you go to this page, click "Wish #8" to view the pictures. The community is pouring out love to her by giving her a baby shower. They furnished a nursery already and have donated literally thousands of items for this young woman. It was a sobering reminder that this war is real and can be very hurtful.

No matter what you are doing today, may we all stop to remember the sacrifices that have been made in the past. And may we also remember those that are being made even as we celebrate with picnics and parties over here.

Happy Memorial Day!!