To those who served and who died in their service, know that you are remembered.
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, MD (1872-1918), Canadian Army (1915)
While Lt. Col. McCrae’s poem is more often associated with Armistice Day in November, in the US we refer to that as Veterans Day, which offers tribute to all those who have served and come back to tell the tale. His poem during the battle of Ypres in WWI is, in this country, at least, more fitting to this day.
Not all who served were noble heroes, nor all deaths uplifting, nor all all the wars and conflicts fought worthy. But in the end, we honor the sacrifice of those gave their lives in the armed forces of this country. May they rest in peace.