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November 10, 2006

Remembrance Day - November 11

Some of you have asked been asking why some patrons and I have been wearing poppies this week. So I thought I'd let you know. It's to commemorate Remembrance Day (Veterans Day in the US). Until November 11, Canadians, Britons and those from other countries wear poppies to commemorate the sacrifices of veterans and civilians in war. On the 11th minute of the 11th day of the 11th month (the time that World War I ended), a moment of silence is observed in remembrance.

The significance of the poppy comes from the poem "In Flanders Fields" written by Lt. Col. John McCrae, a Canadian physician who served and died at a field hospital during WWI. Poppies grew in profusion in Flanders Field, Belgium, where war casualties had been buried. Back home, I remember learning the poem in school and reciting it at assemblies every year. Here it is:

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.

Posted by preet at November 10, 2006 10:55 AM

Comments

Posted by: pmartin at November 12, 2006 07:51 AM

Posted by: schnitzr at November 13, 2006 10:10 AM

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