It Doesn’t Matter What Event You Remember – Just that you Do

In Flanders Fields 

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) 

Canadian Army

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. 

My father was stationed in Egypt on a Peace Keeping mission when I was still really young. Between 1-4 I believe. I don’t remember after all this time. I remember seeing pictures of it though, pictures of him riding camels and letters back to my mom who was dealing with both me and my baby brother underfoot. I am sure it was difficult on everyone. When I was 7, we were stationed to Germany for five years. We were there for the Gulf War, as well as the fall of the Berlin Wall. I was too young to really get a good grasp on either event, I lived in Germany from ages 7-12. We did have air raid drills though. Bomb shelters. We lived on the military base where everything was painted a dark green to blend in from the air. We had bomb threats called in and had to stay over night at a shelter in some school gym, and I was in school at the time. They called students from particular buildings to go meet up with our parents so we could be evacuated, and my building was called. I remember my mom left a pot of spaghetti on the stove, and she had to tell the military men that it was on. I remember we packed a bag of baby supplies and left it by the front door in case we ever had to be evacuated again when my other brother was born. It was scary some times.  

Take a little time today to remember those who gave their lives so that we could have the life we have now. I’ve never had to fight in a war, and I can only imagine what it must be like. I count myself very, very lucky. Enjoy your Veterans Day (US), and Remembrance Day (CAN).