This is a repost of something I wrote a couple of years ago. It still seems fitting. In addition to today being Veterans' Day here in the U.S., I do believe that it's Remembrance Day' in Canada.
___________
In Flanders Field
John McCrae, May 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 the quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high.
If you break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
_________
Today, November 11... is Veterans Day... I remember my Mom and Dad referring to it as Armistice Day, the day that the end of World War I was recognized world-wide...
"Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice..."
Over time, Veterans Day was altered to honor veterans from all wars... I remember when I was a boy, Dad took me to Illinois to visit the family homestead... and later to the Brown Family Cemetery... one of the headstones he took me to belonged to a young man by the name of 'Leland Brown'... on his headstone is inscribed...
"One of Pershing's 100 Heros..."
My Dad told me that during the course of World War I that Leland had pulled off something similar to Alvin York's accomplishments...
Omaha Beach, June 6, 1944
A late brother-in-law was an 18 year old the day he landed on Omaha Beach in France... to begin the last thrust of the war that was designed to push the Germans out of France... back into Germany... and end the war.
Before his stint in World War II was over, he would be wounded in France, and again in Belgium at the Battle of the Bulge... He was a kid... What were you doing when you were 18???
There is footage of the landing in Normandy that always haunts me... there are three soldiers running onto the beach... and one falls motionless... I keep waiting, hoping to see him stir... move... do something to indicate that maybe he tripped... or was just wounded... Of course, he doesn't. Over 2,500 young men died on the beaches that morning.
Of course, the war that haunts me and my generation is the Vietnam War... I am still appalled at how the troops returning from Vietnam were treated by America... Not only were the young men and women targets in Southeast Asia, but also back in the states... I still remember some of the looks I got when I traveled in my Air Force dress blues...
Whether one is supportive of the wars being waged today, it is reassuring to see that America supports our soldiers... There is still disturbing news. Just last night, there is talk that the United States Marine Corps is being faced with possible reductions in man-power, and possibly even being eliminated... How sad... they are celebrating their 235th anniversary of existence.
I am disturbed to hear news that Arlington Cemetery... where many of America's military dead heroes are buried... has dishonored so many by burying many of the soldiers in the wrong graves... or disposing of their ashes in very disrespectful ways.
These people deserve our respect and our attention... Giving them the medical care, rehabilitation, and final respects are the least we can do...
I was disturbed to hear news on the television this morning about the number of "unattended" funerals for deceased veterans... where no one shows up for the service...
We are the great nation that we are because we have had 235-plus years of people willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our Country... for our Freedoms...
Honor our military members...
We owe them...
~shoes~
My brother is in uniform, and his youngest son will be, soon. We aren't a military family, although we have had many who served. I never forget.
ReplyDeleteUsed to work with a guy who was blown up by an anti tank mine in Vietnam. He had no legs, most of one arm was gone, the fingers on the other hand didn't work the way they should.
He passed away a few years ago, but every year on Veteran's Day I sent him an anonymous card. Not because I didn't want him to know who I was, but so he could think it was just about anyone.
Hats off to this post. Well done, my good friend, well done.
ReplyDeletePS: You are correct, it is Remembrance Day up here}
A great post Shoes!!
ReplyDeleteI spent today with my dad who served in the Koreon war
Beautiful post, Shoes.
ReplyDelete"We owe them..."
ReplyDeleteYes we do owe them. We owe the Veterans a great deal. I do not believe they expect much from us than respect and to be treated well. And to learn--learn the history of what they went through for us. Most Veterans I have known do not like to brag about what they have done. They are very quiet about what they experiences. However, we should show them respect. We should honor them by "knowing" what they have done for us.