Monday, May 28, 2012

A day to remember

Memorial Day exists to honor those who have died defending our country. As an American living in Belgium, I find it particularly poignant to know that one thing that played a role in its history is the poem "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.

If you're cynical about the whole thing, try reading this.

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