Lest We Forget

by Vinetta Sanderson

November 2005

If you are 40 or older, possibly you were required to memorize the Remembrance Day poem, In Flanders Fields.  Parts of it still come to mind at this time of year. 

I listened this week to a veteran who once again stirred my thinking.  There are so many aspects of their experience we cannot understand or relate to. (He said we have much to learn!) However, we must not allow that to cause us to forget or be in any way ungrateful for the enormous contribution each one made for the freedom we enjoy and take for granted (yes, I believe we do - because most of us don't know what living with war in our country is like, and only those who have sent soldiers can appreciate the sacrifice.)

In some provinces, Nov. 11 is a holiday - set aside to allow people to remember, to honor, and reflect on the contribution these young (now old) men and women made for us and our children and grandchildren.  Whether you are working or enjoying a day with family, please take a few moments to thank God for the freedom in our country, for those who fought and lost their lives, for those who fought and won the victory, and if you have an opportunity... thank a veteran.  They were young men whose lives were forever changed by giving a part of their life for you.  Let us take up the 'torch'... O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

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 with 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.