Memorial Day Is Remembrance Day in Flanders Fields
Posted: Tuesday, May 19, 2009
by Nenita Wells
Memorial Day is when we honor as we pray and pay
Tribute to the veterans and heroes on this special day.
Tribute to the veterans and heroes on this special day.
A Canadian physician named John McCrae
Wrote a poem made famous in 1915, 3rd of May.
Flanders fields is referred to as the resting place
Of the fallen brave. And on the day of remembrances
Of the fallen brave. And on the day of remembrances
This bright red-colored poppies symbolic raise
Their honor, we pay homage everyday and always.
Here is the famous poem Dr. McCrae hand-wrote
To share, to make you feel what pains connote
To share, to make you feel what pains connote
He mournfully remembered brothers in the battlefields
They were brave men now resting in Flanders Fields.
Flanders Fields
by John McCrae
"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The lark till 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."
As we commemorate this special day for them
Flag half-masted unfurling with the wind
Flag half-masted unfurling with the wind
For we will never forget those whose lives claimed
And those who lived to tell patriotism of the highest kind..
By Nenita WellsIf you love to read and write prose and poetry, why not become a new author now by registering at: www.SearchWarp.com/Register/asp. You will be amazed at the outcome. LOL
The author was born in one of the 7,100 islands in the Philippines, in Leyte where the famous American five-star general, Douglas MacArthur landed during WWII. She is one of eight children, and she has thirty-five nieces and nephews. She was raised by her parents to be a good Christian. Attended public school both in Elementary and High School in the Philippines. She went to college under the work and study program, earned her bachelor's degree with honors and her first paid full-time job was as secretary to the High School Principal, her first boss was a Benedictine Sister from Germany who was the Administrator of the Catholic school. She lived in New York City from 1977 to 2004 and now lives in Providence, Rhode Island. She loves to read and write poetry.
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)That was beautiful, Nenita. I love the poem. Thanks for sharing it with us.Hi Ronyae.Thank you so much for commenting and reading my poem. I am delighted to know that you liked it and I am deeply honored.Best regards,Nenita
As a VN Vet, you are correct. (Dr)Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote it on May 3, 1915, after he witnessed the death of his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer.Dr. Rucker thank you for commenting and reading my article. I am honored as well as grateful for the additional information you provided.Thanks again. Happy Memorial Day to you.Sincerely,Nenita
Great article. Well done.Earlier this year I visited the place where Dr. McCrae worked and the very grave yard he wrote the poem in.Hi Connor.Thank you for reading and commenting my poem. I am glad you liked it.What is it like being physically present in the site where Dr. McCrae worked and at the graveyard where he wrote the poem in? I can only imagine.Thanks again Connor.Best regards,NenitaConnor, when you were in Belgium at the grave yard site, did you see the bright red colored poppies blooming?NenitaSadly not - I arrived in winter.
Thanks for the memories. I remember having to have to memorize that poem in grade school."Tread the Earth Lightly"" and let your days be filled with... Peace, light and love,Arlene Wright-CorrellHi Arlene.Thank you so much for commenting and reading my poem. I am delighted to hear from you. I am honored.And may your days be filled with laughter and sunshine.Best regards,Nenita
Nenita,I believe you are a gift to humanity. I always read your work with such excitement and joy. You know have to appeal to the inner child in all of us. Meaning, the warm and fuzzy feelings that tickle us and makes us realize that life is worth living.Therefore, your tribute to those that pave the way to fight, maintain, and sustain our freedom is awesome.Keep writing and I will keep coming back to quench my mental thirst.God bless,LawrenceLawrence thank you!Your commenting and reading my poem touched my heart. Thank you so much for such kindness and warmth. It humbled me. I appreciated your generosity of your time. If my poem will serve to remind someone to remember our beloved fallen heroes and the veterans during Memorial day, then my mission is accomplished.Thank you for the encouragement.God bless.Sincerely,Nenita(your avid fan)
A nice article of remembrance. Thanks for sharing this and for sharing the poem "Flanders Fields" also.Hi David.Thank you for commenting and reading my poem.Here's a short poem for you, to show my gratitude:In Vimy Ridge,1917. The Canadianscame and foughtWhat was impossiblethey thoughtThe enemy defeatedGuns stopped. United.VictoriousIn Vimy Ridge.Blessings.Nenita(your fan)Thank you for this, Nenita.It's a shame that even in Canada, our Canadian Forces are often ridiculed. I often hear people joke that Canada really doesn't have a military. But I know those in Europe think differently. During the two World Wars, Canada had one of the strongest armies in the world. It may not be the same today, but I have great respect for what they do.It sounds like you do too. Thank you.
Hi Nenita, thank you for sharing this poem. It really makes me think back on all those who have died for our freedom. It was not in vain.Blessings to you! TeresaThank you for this, Nenita.It's a shame that even in Canada, our Canadian Forces are often ridiculed. I often hear people joke that Canada really doesn't have a military. But I know those in Europe think differently. During the two World Wars, Canada had one of the strongest armies in the world. It may not be the same today, but I have great respect for what they do.It sounds like you do too. Thank you.Sorry, Teresa, this comment was meant for Nenita. I clicked on the wrong comment. Sorry, it's late in the day and I'm tired.
Hi Teresa,Thanks for commenting and reading my poem. As what I said to Lawrence, if my poem will serve to remind someone to remember our beloved fallen heroes and the veterans during Memorial Day, then my mission is accomplished.Lots of blessings and happiness.Nenita(your fan)
well done. I remember when I once met an old woman, a great grandma of my classmate who told us how brave those soldier (including my father's relative and the old woman crush) fought against the jap to defend the country with only limited ammunition they had. They had to set aside the dead one's, say a prayer (for the dead and perhaps also for himself) and commence firing the machine gun with one hand. The other hand had been injured already. Until a grenade caught his last breath. What a tough time for them. I salute them. And thanking you to remembering and writing a poem for there memories.
Nenita,Thank you for writing a moving Memorial Day poem.May you continue to use and share your God-givenwriting talent.God Bless,Chap Don BiadogChap Don Biadog thank you.I am appreciative of your kind and warm words. Thank you for reading and commenting on my poem and for your encouragement, it is very humbling. God bless and good health.Best regards,Nenita
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