A day late, but not forgotten

Canadian Army doctor Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote the poem below- which ever since has been identified in the English-speaking world with Veterans or Remembrance Day- after witnessing the death of a friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer. It speaks for the dead of all wars, who have given their lives for our safety and freedom.

It especially bears remembrance at a time when we are tempted to forget its final injunction.

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.