Coming from a military family, I am proud of the men and women who've fought for our country in times of war and in times of peace. Their commitment and sacrifice have protected our freedoms and made our country great. To those who serve today, especially in harm's way, I offer my deepest thanks. Deployment is difficult on family and friends. Even for those who's assignment is state-side or not in a war area, life is still not without peril. To all our military men and women, active duty and reservists alike, I'm grateful for your service and your sacrifice.
Flanders Field American Cemetary and Memorial
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915
Poppies (©greatwar.co.uk)
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.
Inspiration for the poem — In Flanders Fields
Inspiration behind the poem, "Flanders Field"
During the Second Battle of Ypres a Canadian artillery officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed on 2 May, 1915 by an exploding shell. He was a friend of the Canadian military doctor Major John McCrae.
John was asked to conduct the burial service owing to the chaplain being called away on duty elsewhere. It is believed that later that evening John began the draft for his famous poem 'In Flanders Fields'.
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