Veteran's Day Poppies

[Cwalker935]

A co worker shared this poem and the following piece that was written by her husband.

In Flander's Field​

by John McCrae​

​

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​

 

[Cwalker935]

Veteran's Day ​

2015​

"In Flanders Fields" is a war poem in the form of a rondeau, written during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. He was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915, after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. According to legend, fellow soldiers retrieved the poem after McCrae, initially dissatisfied with his work, discarded it. "In Flanders Fields" was first published on December 8 of that year in the London-based magazine Punch.
The 2nd battle of Ypres was fought between April and May 1915.
On 22 April 1915 the Germans began a bombardment on the Allied lines that included 5,700 canisters (168 tons) of chlorine gas. The gas was delivered in shell form by 17inch howitzers.
The gas covered a 4 mile stretch of the Allied line. The heavy gas poured into the trenches that has been dug to protect the soldiers from bullets and shell fragments.
10,000 troops were injured. ½ died within 10 minutes of the beginning of the German bombardment. They died of asphyxiation as their lungs filled with fluid as a result of being burnt by the insidious chemical. 2,000 of those who lived were blinded and were captured as POWs.
The attack resulted in a 7 kilometer gap in the Allied lines. The Germans were so surprised by their success that they were unprepared to exploit the tactical advantage. The German command did not believe such a result was possible because gas had been used against the Russians to little effect. Russia is much colder than Belgium and the gas froze and moved slowly. In the relatively warm countryside of Belgium the gas flowed freely and with horrendous effectiveness.
Two days later the Germans launched another chlorine attack. This time the Canadians were the target. This was the attack that killed LTC John McCrae's friend (Alexis Helmer) and was the inspiration for his famous poem, In Flander's Field.
The Canadians suffered 5,975 causalities including 1,000 fatalities. The fighting was bitter as the Germans followed up the gas attack with a conventional assault. The Canadians held until reinforced by British troops on 3 May. The Germans were then pushed back into their own lines.
Total losses for the 2nd Battle of Ypres were…
69,000 Allied Troops (59k British & 10K French).
VS.
35,000 Axis (German)
The difference in total causalities for the two sides is explained by the use of chlorine gas.

Let us pray.

O God,
We call out to you to hold with unfailing love those who have been called to serve our country by taking up arms against our fellow man.
We pray that our sinful human nature is washed clean by your perfect nature so that one day, our various weapons being put to rest, we may focus our minds, bodies and souls on the care of our neighbor and the worship of your most precious body and blood.
Father, bless now we pray, all those who have offered themselves to the service of the right and just and now call themselves veterans. Let them come to you that they may be preserved both in this life and the next.
In your most Holy and Sacred Name,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.

 

[maxwell_smart007]

Just curious - is Flander's Fields not universally known? It is the absolute highlight of Remembrance Day, and I'd daresay that most Canadians can recite it by heart.

To me, it's the symbol of Remembrance Day! (nov 11)

 

[Chuck Key]

We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows in fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.

From "We Shall Keep the Faith" by Moina Michael, November 1918