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Here in France we have a bank holiday today, commemorating ‘le 11 novembre’ 1918 and the signing of the armistice at the end of the first world war.
In every town and village all over the country there is a monument, big or small, engraved with the names of the young men from that village who lost their lives. And today, in front of each of those monuments, a few people will gather, pay their respects and lay wreaths.
The bloodiest battle grounds in France were in the North, across fields and countryside where poppies have always grown in the summer.
So today I simply leave you with this beautiful poem, written by the Canadian soldier, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae MD. In 1915 he was serving as a field surgeon on the bloody fields of Flanders, and after burying his closest friend, exhausted by weeks of the most appalling conditions, he sat down and wrote about the poppies he could see growing up through the mud of the battlefields around him.[blank]
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In Flanders Fields
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
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.
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.
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.[blank][blank]
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.[blank][blank]
all photos thanks to google images
30 comments
A lovely tribute post Sharon. Thank you.
Sharon
Such a beautifully sensitive piece. The photos are gorgeous and seeing the handwritten note so poignant. I have never understood about the poppies – and now I do. Thank you. I read blogs from around the world and am hopeful that we will learn to see how alike we are – not different – and come to live in peace.
Karen
Poppies grow in Flanders fields, do they grow for those who stayed alive however lost their homes lost their beloved and lost their native country on those who cruelly draw a line (in Trianon) midst small villages, fields and families separated three third of a country Hungary? What for?Here we think of ours too! Dorka
A completely beautiful post. Thank you! Emily from RueDeEmily
Thank you for this post. We don't have Remembrance Day in America. Though we have similar holidays.
My grandfather fought in France in WW 1. My father fought in France in WW 11. Thought I have never had the opportunity to visit France, I have heard the French don't care for Americans. Which I have never understood, since I have seen so many movies about WW11 where the French people were cheering to see American soldiers arriving in their country.
I also wrote about WWI today. Such a brutal and senseless war.
A beautiful tribute and poignant poem.
Dear Anon
11 November was formerly known as Armistice Day in the US, a day to commemorate the end of WWI, and honor those who served their country, like your Grandfather. Tho' we did not call it Remembrance Day – it is the same.
WWI was called the 'War to End All Wars' ….but history did not prove this true.
Later in the mid 1950's, after WWII and the Korean War, it was given a new name to honor all veterans. We now refer to it at Veterans Day — and often today, you'll see members of the VFW selling red poppies around town, in remembrance.
Thank you Sharon for this hauntingly beautiful post.
A lovely post of remembrance. We are honoring today in Canada as well, with a day of remembrance and the symbolic poppy! Lest we forget…
Beautiful, Sharon.
Beautiful and thoughtful!
My grandfather fought in that war, and I was able to ride my bicycle through the area last year (enroute from Paris to Brugge). I also stopped in the woods where the papers were signed to end the war. I have post cards and love letters that my grandparents wrote to each other during that time. They married when he returned home.
What a lovely way to observe the day, Sharon. The photos make the poem even more moving.
My Dad is a Vietnam veteran. I'm going to hug him really hard today, which will make him really uncomfortable, but I don't care.
What a lovely tribute Sharon.
The first image of those red poppies is exquisite and the field of poppies is quite stunning in it's vastness.
I have never seen anything like that here in Canada.
Such a beautiful pictorial and sensitive post.
Thank you Sharon
Jo xx
Such a poignant poem. Thank you for sharing it on this day of remembrance.
Beautiful post. I love the red poppies in France and had no idea of the meaning they carry. I will not look at them the same again. The beauty will be touched with sadness and solemnity.
Beautiful post, Sharon. Thank you.
Today is a holiday in Canada as well, Remembrance Day, during which the signing of the armistice is recognized in much the same way as in France – with services, prayers and wreaths. We wear poppies, too, and the funds collected help out veterans.
How lovely is the photo of the poppy fields.
Very Beautiful…thank you.
My visit to the Somme was one of the best days of my life. Understanding the futility of it all and seeing how some of the battles played out around Villers Bretonneux where the Australians saw action in 1918 was just so moving. Seeing the sign in the little prmiary school in that town saying 'Never Forget Australia' was very much appreciated and heart felt.
Lovely post Sharon. It was great to read the full text of that poem for the first time.
I am remembering over on my blog today as well.
Carolyn xx
My grandfather was in France during WWI ad well. He unfortunately had a bit of amnesia at one point, and the French took care of him before he went home to England for a rest for six weeks. When he recovered, he went (and wanted to go) straight back! The amazing thing about it was the doctor who recognized him was from the same village in England. The French only knew he was English by his uniform. I have a soft spot for the French now.
We have a debt to respect and care for all of our Veterans from all wars. Without them, we would not enjoy the freedoms we have today.
But I hope we come to a place where men (and women) need not die anymore over differences, and that we come to understand and support peace with one another.
Thanks for a lovely post.
Dearest Sharon,
This is interesting that Veterans Day as we know it here in the USA is being observed in Canada and also in France at the same time. Yes, we all should pause and pay respect to those brave men that gave their lives for our freedom. Let's hope that the young(er) generation will come to understand and respect that too!!! They seem to take things for granted. It was all earned the hard way and the value of that is not seen by all…
Love to you,
Mariette
Bless those who gave so much for all of us. We are grateful and thankful.
A moving post.
My great uncle lost his life in the trenches of France and my great Aunt Molly travelled from Australia to nurse the wounded in the battle fields of France. As a travelling companion, Molly took her box Brownie camera! Consequently I have some interesting, original images of the First World War in France and also of the journey these heroic nurses took in order to get there.
Sadly, this war didn't live up to its name as "The War to End All Wars".
An amazing post with beautiful photos. I bought my poppy and wore it proudly. Its a big day here in Aus for us as well.
Beautiful.
Some years ago I visited the D Day beaches in Normandy–most moving.
Wherever brave men and their families have served the cause of freedom, we who are free should never tire of thanking them.
Hi Sharon, we also celebrate Remembrance Day in Canada, and all day yesterday listening to the radio to all the tributes and ceremonies was heart wrenching. I love the poem and remember having to memeorize it as a young child in school. I can still recall it by heart. It makes me feel so humble and appreciative to all those men and women we honour every year. N.xo
A Beautiful Post sharon,
My Australian Great Grandfather fought at the Somme and was one of the few who made it back home. Sadly suffering from shell shock, he lived his last days in an institution.
Thank you for your post, it helps to remember the sacrifice made by all men, (and women) through out many wars. The poppy is a beautiful symbol that echos a beautiful meaning across the world.
Fiona
Sharon: I was led here by Angeline-Marie. Great site! I am your newest follower.