Memorial Day

on

In Flanders Field 

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

Each year, this was the poem read during the Memorial Day ceremony in my home town.  Each year, a small parade would make it’s way from the city center to the cemetery where they would honor those who passed who served in each war and conflict and military action.  Then, they would call the names of those who passed the following year – and who’s flags were being flown for the first time.  The military men would carry the flags to where they were being placed in honor.  Each flag is tagged with the name of the man or woman who passed & the war(s) they served.  After the ceremony, we would spend hours trying to find my grandpa’s flag in the sea of flags – then go take care of grave stones & place the flowers on the grave.

SB and I had a long talk about this holiday today.  How for as polar opposite as we can be on certain issues, there are certain ones we come together on.  This is one of them.

I was taught to honor my country.  I was taught and reminded that without the wars and the sacrifices, we would not have a place where we could have the disagreements we have today.  We would not have a place where people with different ideas can exist.  Where debates about political correctness could be had.  Or groups can gain freedom over oppression.

This is what the flag represents.  It represents the reason this country was founded.  As a place of freedom from oppression.  Where people don’t need to believe in only one thing, they get to believe in whatever religion gets them through the day.  They get to disagree with government.  They get to have firearms.  They get to disagree with that too.  We are here because of those who fought for us.  Never ever forget that.

Oh, and take your fucking hat off during the National Anthem.  Geez!

What do you think?

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