Matrix Games Forums

Anticipating a little, thought I would post this Memorial Day tribute now, when I was thinking of it. John McCrae was serving with the BEF in France during WW1; he wrote this poem in a matter of minutes. The London Times refused to print it initially, believing it was too depressing.

We hardly ever hear or see this poem now, which does not diminish McCrae's thoughts on armed conflict. They are among the best ever:

In Flanders Fields

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.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that the first line is often misquoted, being mistaken for the last line.

Bing

As a Dutchman I lived in Canada for over two years and I am pretty sure this poem is read a near thousand times on the l(ocal-) radio stations when memorial day comes by. Better yet, my boys were to memorize it in school so they could cite/quote/read whenever appropiate. It's a beautiful poem.

I've never seen this one before, but it went right into my 'save' folder. Thanks Bing.

If this forum serves no other purpose, at least it reminds me that others remember that Memorial Day means something besides picnics and sales.

I believe those of us who lived through WW2 will never forget. I was growing up then, in a small Michigan town. At the time, I didn't know what it meant when my classmate's Dad was one of the first to go. We lived across the street, our famlies were friends and neighbors. Bob's father was "in for the duration", as the commonly heard phrase had it. For some, including Bob's father, the duration was eternity. He was killed in early action.

I don't think I will forget. Each person has to decide for themselves what it means. To me, it means we always have had to fight to preserve what we have in this country, which is absolutely unique in the history of mankind. I think we always will have to fight. WTC verified as much for many of us. I discovered I was much more of a patriot than I knew - nothing wrong with that unless it is used for the wrong purposes.

Love of country and fellow countrymen in and of itself is not a bad thing, rather it is a very good thing.

Time to honor our members who serve. Thanks, Gmenfan and all of the men and women here and elsewhere who know what my signature line means. We owe you far more than we can ever repay. You have our respect and admiration; if I were younger I would be there with you.

Bing