In Flanders Fields, by DVM

It is good to remind ourselves of what Memorial Day means. It is a day to remember all those who gave their lives for our country. It is celebrated on the 4^th Monday of May. It is sometimes confused by the naïve with Veterans’ Day. That day, however, is celebrated every November 11^th.

This poem is said to be widely read on Memorial Day, though I had not heard it until this week. It was written by a participant in WW I who was a medical doctor and combat soldier, Dr. John McCrae, reportedly after he buried his friend and fellow soldier at Flanders Fields in Europe.

Notice the mission the writer asks from those who are alive and remain. Also note that one handwritten version by Dr. McCrae has “grow” instead of “blow” in the first line.

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae 1919

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 live, 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.

I am grateful to all who have given their life that we may be free. God bless. – DVM

By NC ScoutPublished On: May 25, 2020Categories: AP Editorial Staff3 Comments

About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

3 Comments

Anonymous May 25, 2020 at 09:54

5
tz May 25, 2020 at 18:18

My Father would always sell poppies.
He is spinning in his grave while guestapo hitler, Gretchen Whitmer destroyed everything he bed for (DAV!).
America has gone to hell.
DVM May 25, 2020 at 21:37

Update: I spent the weekend camping with a soldier and his family. It was a real privilege. At 3 pm we gathered all the adults and kids and he read this poem aloud and made a few comments to the younger generation. I then played Military Taps on the trumpet across the wide lake. It was a haunting sound and it echoed back around the lake. Interestingly someone else played Taps down the lake from another site. Our eyes welled up with tears. Rest in Peace Beloved, You Are Not Forgotten….