We Remember

Remembrance Day

On tuesday and wednesday, I talked to youth about November 11th, Remembrance Day, which is today. Today people gather around the world to different memorials to honour those brave soldiers who died serving our countries, protecting their loved ones back home. They especially go to Flanders.

Since the First World war ended on November 11th 1918, which lasted 4 years, veterans and others decided this would be the best day to silently reflect and remember. Many soldiers fought in Flanders between 1914-1918. Each Spring the battlefield would burst red with colour from the blooming of poppies. They saw these flowers growing on the graves that marked the dead.

Since soldiers remembered the poppies when they thought of their dead friends, they decided that the poppy would be the symbol of Remembrance for them.
That's why we wear poppies in honour of those who died.

John McCrae fought in the first Wolrd War in Flanders (and other places in France) He wrote a poem about those who died fighting along side him, and about the poppies. I'm sure most of you have heard "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.

- John McCrae

And I found this beautiful "Reply to Flanders Fields" by John Mitchell:


Oh! sleep in peace where poppies grow;
The torch your falling hands let go
Was caught by us, again held high,
A beacon light in Flanders sky
That dims the stars to those below.
You are our dead, you held the foe,
And ere the poppies cease to blow,
We'll prove our faith in you who lie
In Flanders Fields.
Oh! rest in peace, we quickly go
To you who bravely died, and know
In other fields was heard the cry,
For freedom's cause, of you who lie,
So still asleep where poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.

As in rumbling sound, to and fro,
The lightning flashes, sky aglow,
The mighty hosts appear, and high
Above the din of battle cry,
Scarce heard amidst the guns below,
Are fearless hearts who fight the foe,
And guard the place where poppies grow.
Oh! sleep in peace, all you who lie
In Flanders Fields.

And still the poppies gently blow,
Between the crosses, row on row.
The larks, still bravely soaring high,
Are singing now their lullaby
To you who sleep where poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.

- John Mitchell


Lest we forget...

 

At boards.jp, we take the time today to reflect on all those who have fought in order to give us the peace we have today. Our freedom is sometimes taken for granted, but it was granted through the efforts of many, and even through the sacrifice of life.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the end of the first World War came about, and we look back. We remember.