Remembrance Day/Veterans Day

[Todd-'o'-Vision]

In Flanders Field's
John McCrae ©1915

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.

 

[Todd-'o'-Vision]

Back in 1992 in grade 11 10 years ago we had a Lest we forget poetry contest in the school. I was young and idealistic and wrote the following:

A Reply to in Flanders' Fields
Todd Forgrave ©1992

In Flanders fields the poppies still blow
Betwixt and between the cross, row on row,
They still mark your place; and up high in the sky
they larks, they still bravely sing and fly
Even though they were scarce heard down below.

We the living. Long days still to go
We live, feel dawn, and see the sunset glow,
We love, and are loved and remember you now lie
In Flanders Fields.

We took up you quarrel with the foe:
From your failing hands in ours we tow
The torch, it's ours to now hold high.
We have not broke faith with you who die
you can now sleep, where the poppies grow
In Flanders fields

 

[Todd-'o'-Vision]

Now in 2002 I am 27, not so young, not so naive. I no longer hold to the words I once wrote. I find them a crime a mockery to those who gave their lives, and those who give their lives. Re-Writing my reply for 2002 it would go as such:

A Reply to in Flanders' Fields
Todd Forgrave ©2002

In Flanders fields do the poppies still grow?
Between the cross, we don't care to know.
Oh they mark your places? Up in the sky
There isn't a Lark to sing or fly
While for us you die amidst the gunfire below.

We the living. All there is we know
We live, feel the dawn, and watch the sunset glow,
you loved, but now forgotten you lie
In Flanders fields.

We refused to take your quarrel with the foe:
To our failing hands you threw
The torch, we slowly let it die.
We broke faith and forgot you who died
So restless you weep, amidst the poppies
In Flanders fields.

 

[airborne92]

Todd, not all have forgotten. Some still carry that torch, if for no other reason than to try and make this world a better place for everyone.

 

[Lost Cause]

Never Forget..

Armistice Day/Veteran's Day, originally for the ending of WW1. At the 11th hour, the 11th Month, on the 11th day, the killing ended. It wasn't until the 1950's it was changed to Veteran's Day.

*The big changes I've noticed since my youth, is the PC motherfuckers in charge discourage parades, and more than that, scoff at the display of our weaponry in all it's might. Another grief I've got is my vet bros & sisters that put their hand on their hearts when the colors go by. Fuck that! We earned that salute we give to our colors, once a soldier, always a soldier!

*Thanks to my Brother and Sister Veterans!