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Memorial Day Again

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

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

      There are a number of answers to this poem. This poem has been adopted by many veteran groups from several countries. There was a small cemetery near the medical station where McCrae had been overwhelmed with the horror of war. The field had ditches where poppies bloomed.
      The mention of poppies inspired the making and selling of paper poppies for the lapel. Originally, injured vets made the poppies, and the proceeds benefited disabled vets. Eventually, they were made by assembly line machines to save money. Now, the dollar for the poppy hardly seems worth the effort, so we don't see them so much. However, the image of the poppy in remembrance of veterans prevails. (They were sold on Armistice Day, which became Veteran's Day-Nov. 11.)