Veteran's Day

In Canada, where I grew up, it is expected that everyone wears a poppy on their coat by Nov. 11, to mark Veteran's Day. The poppies are a symbol of Flanders Fields - it is also expected that every Canadian schoolchild reads "In Flanders Fields."

Strangely enough, there's a good link and history found through the Arlington Cemetery website:
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm

Perhaps someday, we won't need to be reminded that WWI was not the war to end all wars.

Today is not that day.


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.

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)

A friend introduced me to "Green Fields of France" - v. touching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrQnnZJ68Xo