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LEST WE FORGET

    We Remember 

The 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.

As we stand around the flag,
Swaying proudly in the air,
We pin on our poppies,
And ask ourselves "Why should we care?"

We care for the men who fought,
For our pride overseas,
Young men, who would have thought,
Died for you and me

Families were torn apart,
People shook with fear,
Praying the enemy would not attack,
That the good Lord would be near

Tears were shed for years to come,
Many were wounded and bled,
Not forgetting what it had done,
War finally came to an end

So I stand around the flag.
Swaying proudly in the air,
As I pin on my poppy,
I understand why I care

Veterans' Week Proclamation
Veteran's Affairs

WHEREAS,

The Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Chrétien,
has declared the period beginning November 5th and
ending November 11th, 1998, to be Veterans' Week in
Canada;

AND

WHEREAS,

It honors the achievements and sacrifices of
Canadians at home and overseas during wartime and
in peacekeeping operations around the world;

AND

WHEREAS,

The education of Canadian youth in the history
of Canada's contribution to peace is essential to
maintaining that peace.

Click to enlarge

This year, November 11th history marks the 79th anniversary of the first Remembrance Day. The Governor General and the Prime Minister will gather with other Canadian's for the annual ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa to honor more than 100,000 Canadians who have died in wars since the Confederation.

Historical Origin of Remembrance Day

Why the Poppy?
A writer first made the connection between the poppy and battlefield death during the Napoleonic wars in the early 19th century, remarking that fields that were barren before battle exploded with the blood-red flowers after the fighting ended.

During the tremendous bombardments of the First World War the chalk soil became rich in lime from rubble, allowing 'popaver rhoeas' to thrive. When the war ended the lime was quickly absorbed, and the poppy began to disappear again.

After John McCraes'  poem "In Flanders Fields" was published in 1915, the poppy became a popular symbol for soldiers who died in battle.

Three years later an American, Moina Michael, was working in a New York City YMCA canteen when she started wearing a poppy in memory of the millions who died on the battlefield.

During a 1920 visit to the United States a French woman, Madame Guerin, learned of the custom. On her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies to raise money for the destitute children in war-torn areas of the country. In November, 1921, the first poppies were distributed in Canada.

Thanks to the million of Canadians who wear flowers each November, the little red plant has never died. And neither have Canadian's memories for 116,031 of their countrymen who died in battle.

John McCraes
  

John McCrae (1872-1918)

He earned a B.A. and a medical degree at Toronto, did graduate work at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, served as a gunner with Canadian Field Artillery in the Boer War and then moved to Montreal.

His Guelph home is now a museum that attracts visitors from Belgium, France, Britain and Germany.
For more information on Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae:
Veterans Affairs Canada