Remembrance

In Flanders Fields

by Lt. Col. John McCrae

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.

Please take a few moments today to honor the fallen today. It is important, whatever your politics, to mark days such as this by teaching your children what Veterans Day means. It is more than a day off from school or work -- it is a day to remember those who have given their lives to advance the freedom of others. It is also a day to show that we value all soldiers and their families and to express the hope that arms will be only raised in the cause of justice, at last resort.

- Midwest Mom

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My Veteran's Day/Remembrance Day post at the BlogCatalog blog today is part of the BloggersUnite! Who will Stand event. It highlights blogs written by and for soldiers and their families, everyday ways to support active duty soldiers and their families, to support our veterans, and to push for the benefits soldiers need when they come home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.