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.
~Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
This poem was read at every Memorial Day service held in my hometown. Each year, we went because my grandparents usually had a part in the services. My dad and his battery would do the 21 gun salute before Taps was played. And usually marched with flags when they were dedicating flags into the Avenue of Flags (an organization that would fly the flags of Veterans that had passed on days like Memorial Day, 4th of July, etc). Even I was part of the service as a girl scout.
Take a moment today and remember these people who have passed. Push aside your personal feelings about war or conflict, and honor the people who went to fight in a war they were told to go fight in. Remember their sacrifice.