Name: Linda
Saturday, May 26, 2007
MEMORIAL DAY
In Flanders Field
In Flanders field 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 with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
~~By Major John McCrae, May 1915.~~
We visited this cemetery in Normandy, France with my parents on the 55th anniversary celebration of D-Day. My Dad is a D-Day survivor. He landed on Omaha Beach with the 29th Division. The day we visited this cemetery was a very moving day. I watched my Dad walk to the crosses of the men he had served with and place a rose beneath each cross. My husband, a Viet Nam veteran walked with him.
A couple of years later we all were at the Viet Nam Wall in Washington D.C. My husband found the names of those he had served with. I found the name of a classmate - Mike. He was a handsome, out-going, sweet guy. He never lived to see his 21st birthday.
Now young men and women visit the graves of loved ones lost much more recently. The heartbreak is still the same. This is a very special holiday. It is a time for us to recognize, with grateful hearts, those who gave their lives that we might live in this great country with all the freedoms it affords. I see the eyes of my father and my husband well up with tears when they talk about the young men who lost their lives. They paid a great price, and we owe them a huge debt.
Blessings,
13 Comments:
Yes, we do owe them big time. They serve their country will all their might and lost their lives for us to live in freedom.
Blessings to you and your family this Memorial Day weekend.
My Daddy was a Navy Seabee in WW2. He served in Hawaii rebuilding Pearl Harbor then on Okinawa building air strips and bases.
May we never forget all the sacrifices made for us so that we can enjoy our many freedoms.
Have great Memorial Day weekend, Linda. :-)
Love and hugs,
Diane
We don't celebrate Memorial Day here in Canada...but we do have Remembrance Day on Nov. 11th every year...both holidays have the same meaning, to remember those who fought for us and lost their lives. I don't think any of us really understand what these men and women go through, and have gone through for us. xoxo
Very moving post Linda. We certainly owe our veterans a huge debt of gratitude. I think I've mentioned that my Grandpa is one of the oldest living Pearl Harbor survivors..
Have a wonderful weekend..
xo
Thank you for this good post. My father lost many family members during WWII.
Praying for families whose loved ones are serving even now.
When I visited the Vietnam Wall in DC, I was overwhelmed with the vast numbers. I didn't find anyone I knew, but it just humbled me and horrified me. Beautiful post.
You are so right, Linda. We can never repay their sacrifice.
A day for remembering the unthinkable. Blessings on all those families who have someone to honor on this day.
To true! We remember our brave fallen in Canada on November 11...
Blessings on this Memorial Day
It's not the 4th of July, but I'm crying anyway. (I ALWAYS cry on the 4th when I hear patriotic music....well, ANY day that I hear patriotic music.)
What a touching, beautiful post. *dabbing eyes*
Freedom is not free, and as Americans we take our freedom for granted.
Thank God for soldiers who defend our freedom. Including my son!
Excellent poem. I hadn't read it in years but remember it well. My hubby is a Vietnam Vet and we visited the Wall a few years back as well and he found the name of a cousin and a few others he knew.
My FIL served in the Pacific Theatre and gave our eldest son the Samari Sword he had.
You have a wonderful tribute. The trip to France must have been amazing.
Hugs!
Great Blog! I will be back for more -0-0-
Linda, you have such a beautiful way of putting things. What a great tribute to those who have served.
Post a Comment
<< Home