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In Flanders Fields
Cpl. Bert Whitehurst.
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.
— Lt. Col. John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
In memory of Cpl. Bert Whitehurst (1895-1918)
Published in History
Thank you for sharing such a fitting Veterans’ Day poem. Since we are without a Quote of the Day, I hope you don’t mind if I post to the QOTD Signup Sheet.
I love this poem. I also think it’s more suited for Memorial Day, or in one of the Commonwealth countries where today is Remembrance Day. But that’s just me.
It’s the same date, in any case, so it seems appropriate for today even if the name if the day might be different. Some background on the significance of poppies that I found in a quick search: https://www.veteranaid.org/blog/2016/11/09/story-red-poppy-remembrance-day/
Yes. World War I ended officially at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. Veterans’ Day grew out of that original Armistice Day. As did the use of the poppy symbol (from the article you’ve linked to):