Lest We Forget

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies grow
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.

There's no glory in war. Each year we try to remember those lost, but it seems that we are still making the same mistakes. Wars still exist and innocent lives are still being slaughtered for selfish goals. My old history professor (Arne Kislenko) had often said that "we are living in a post World War II state." By that he meant, the outcome of the war has dictated our current world. Decolonization of African states, the destruction of two nations, and the new technology used in the warfare are amongst the many things that have been left for our countries to deal with. But above all, we are left with our freedom. So on this day we reflect on those lost, but most of all we thank those who were so vigilant and selfless for giving us our freedom.