November 11th sees Remembrance Day where people in Canada, The UK and many other parts of the Commonwealth mark the end of First World War and many pay their respects for all who have died or been injuries in the service of their Country. In the United States this day is also celebrated as part of Veteran's Day.Many of us wear our lapel poppies be they plastic as in Canada or paper based as in the UK and the States as an outward symbol of our respect for the fallen.
Lieutenant Commander John McCrea of the Canadian Army who this famous poem whilst in Flanders during the second battle of Ypres.
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915
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.
I like many others will be taking time out to reflect upon the human suffering War in all it's forms brings and to show my respects to those who help defend our Country.
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