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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 hand amid the guns below

John McCrae

John McCrae was a Canadian Army surgeon who wrote this beautiful and haunting poem during WW1 while serving in Flanders Fields, Belgium.This is the first stanza to this reminder to all of the terrible sacrifice these brave men gave to us so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today.We honor their memory and we also honor those men who have given their lives in the name of freedom.From Passchendaele to Vimy Ridge, and Normandy to Afghanistan, we as Canadians should be proud of the men and women who fought on all fronts to make the world a safe place to live.

And so on the eleventh month, on the eleventh day, at the eleventh hour we as Canadians stand silence for two minutes and honor our war dead.This date also marks the end of WW1, ninety years ago.We thought at the end of this terrible war many thought we could live out our lives in harmony, but we were wrong for many battles were yet to be fought.

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

We watch our veterans as they stand at attention, remembering their fallen comrades, as the haunting sounds of "Taps" and the "Last Call" are played.They have come home but have fell silent, for they wish not to talk about their experience, only to keep it deep inside.Watch them as their eyes fill with tears as they relive those moments, the times inwhich they had to leave a friend behind to die, or watched as those around them at one moment were cheering them on, only to find them gone.

Take up the 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 die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders Fields

In Canada we call Veteran's Day Remembrance Day and it does not make a bit of difference where these men fought, how they fought, just that they were able to give every man, woman and child the freedoms we enjoy today.Many veterans from WW2, the Korean War and Vietnam are leaving us and their sacrifice is fading with each passing day.

Take a moment at 11:00 remember the dead and yes even the living.Teach your children the importance of this day, explain to them why we take this opportunity to thank the veterans who are still with us.Shake their hand, speak with them, but most importantly thank them for your freedom.

Lest we forget

Learn more about this author, Kelly Monteith.
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