The Picket: The American Civil War 1861-1865: In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields

Major John McCrae, First Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery

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 your 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...,

... in Virginia and Pennsylvania, and every other field where American soldiers have fallen, and still lie.

Yes, I know it is from the wrong war, indeed the wrong century, but this is perhaps the most enduring war poem that has ever been penned. It was written fifty years after the US Civil War, in May of 1915 during The Great War. A war that would eventually resemble the last stages of the civil war here. In its simplicity the poem begs the reader to remember the soldiers and their sacrifice and to never forget them, while admonishing us to never give up on a fight that is right. It is now nearly a century old, but is as appropriate today as it was then.

Memorial Day is May 28, 2012. Today it is only the 24^th. There is a reasoning to my posting this early. The sad fact is that most people are looking forward to a three day weekend and give little thought to the reason behind it. Tomorrow, Friday, folks will be more concerned about the price of gas and if the boat and fishing tackle are up to snuff and ready for action. Some will be on their way to the airport or train station for visits to kin folk or just a get away from home. Saturday more will be leaving for and some will be arriving at their destinations. From here on through the weekend they will be engrossed in having a good time until they have to head for home, worn out and cussing the holiday traffic. Few will be near a computer to read the latest blog posts. I would imagine, too, that many of the “big time” bloggers will be absent over the holiday.

So by way of reminder, before the hustle and bustle of the weekend actually begins...

Never Forget Them