In Flanders Field

[everardo]

I wanted to post this poem because I like it. Naturally it is a famous poem and I wouldn't dare take credit for it. It was written by John McCrae in 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 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

[Maggie]

I've always loved this poem, Ev. Thanks for posting it.

Peggy aka Maggie

[everardo]

Hi all,
I am visiting this site today and came across this post.
I read the poem and it hit me that it could be used as a memorial
for my brother who died recently on August 31st, 2015. In fact, my sister,
Stephanie is now on her way to California to visit and attend his memorial on the 18th of September, in a few days. My older sister, Alma, with her husband and a lot of family and friends will be there. I will remain in Illinois because I don't think I could have made the trip. However, I did my part and gave my sis some money to make sure she would have enough. My brother, "Ralph," whom we called Rafa, was a wonderful guy. He only spent 6 months in Viet Nam, but the defoliant, Agent Orange made it's presence known in his body and was in the process of destroying his bones. His doctor at the VA gave him 6 more months to live. He got his affairs in order and as he was a private person, by the time the rest of the family knew what was going on, he was gone. He did give us hints, tho. So, I would talk to my sister Stephanie and she seemed to know more about what he was going through and talked to me and helped me to realize his situation. For that I am grateful. It gave me closure and now I don't have to wrestle with the pain of why he died. Now, I know he is happy in heaven with our family.
PS The VA told our family my brother's name (Ralph W. Bonds) will be added to the Viet Nam Memorial Wall for 2015 for soldiers who died of their wounds or medical problems due to the war.

[Maggie]

Everado,

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Family deaths are so hard. I will pray for you tonight before I go to sleep. I have to agree with you that this poem is perfect for the occasion.

God bless you and your family.

Fondly,
Peggy

[everardo]

Thank you, Peggy for your condolences. I appreciate them. Although this was my brother and would have hit me very hard had I not known the situation, what had really thrown me for a loop was the death of my best friend in life, Glen Watkins, in 2012. I didn't know he was sick; he had gotten Pneumonia and it was sudden. I think he finally had gotten over it, but died of the side effects...whatever that is. I wasn't ready for that.
I struggled for a long time, disbelieving that Glen was dead. He was in very good physical shape! Anyway, my brother was not in the greatest of health and he was a Viet Nam vet. I am a vet as well, the Army, in it's wisdom decided to send me to Germany. So, I missed the war. Back in the 70's, the Germans pretty much loved American soldiers, so we had it pretty easy. But, both Rafa and Glen were self-made men. College grads and success oriented people. Musicians and happy people. I miss them.