The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Truly a time to remember, when the Armistice which ended World War I was signed. Veteran’s Day. Remembrance Day.
Depending on where you live, you may wear or see someone wearing a poppy on their lapel, although that is rare in the United States these days. When my husband was young he was a “Son of the VFW” (Veterans of Foreign Wars), as his stepfather served in the South Pacific in World War II. In this capacity Richard sold poppy lapel pins. In my family I remember proudly wearing them at least throughout the 50s. They are a reminder of the red poppies that grew in abundance amid the devastation on the Western Front during World War I, and their use as a symbol was inspired by the touching poem, In Flanders Fields, by Canadian John McCrae. I miss the poppies.
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 McRae
Because we are who we are, Richard read the poem and I cried. I also cry when I hear some of the songs that have been written and/or sung during or inspired by wars throughout the years. Before Richard retired from teaching history, he played a lot of these songs for his classes at the appropriate time, and we listened to some of them today as we honor those who fought for our freedom. Songs like these.
- Yankee Doodle (Revolutionary War)
- Star Spangled Banner (War of 1812)
- Battle Hymn of the Republic (Civil War)
- Two Brothers (Civil War)
- When Johnny Comes Marching Home (Civil War)
- It’s a Long Way to Tipperary (World War I)
- Over There (WWI)
- It’s a Grand Old Flag (WWI and WWII)
- God Bless America (WWI and WWII)
- Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (WWII)
- Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me) (WWII)
- White Cliffs of Dover (WWII)
- A Dear John Letter (Korea)
- Battle of the Green Beret (Vietnam)
- Where Have all the Flowers Gone (Vietnam)
- Did I Ever Tell You You’re my Hero (Desert Storm)
- From a Distance (Desert Storm)
”The Lone Sailor” at the United States Navy Memorial overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
I am the proud daughter of a World War II Navy veteran.
I was born during the Korean War, came of age during the Vietnam War when boys I knew were drafted and some of them died, and my daughters were young during Desert Storm. I wish this nation—or any nation—never needed to go to war. I pray for peace, but know that it only comes through Christ.
And because we live in an imperfect world, I am so very humbled and thankful for all the men and women who have served and are serving this country and others so selflessly to ensure that we can live in a free country. Ronald Reagan said it best in this speech at Normandy June 6, 1984. If you only do one thing to honor our veterans this day, you may want to watch his speech.
To the men and women of the armed services throughout the years: because you served, our children are free to enjoy the poppies! Thank you!
