May 26, 2017, 06:21 AM
ffipsFlanders Fields
In Flanders Fieldsby John McCraeIn 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.
May 26, 2017, 06:24 AM
ffipsI can never express enough gratitude for those who have lost their lives while serving in the military. They have paid the ultimate price.
May 26, 2017, 06:26 AM
BisleyblackhawkThank you for posting ffips.
********************************************************
"we've gotta roll with the punches, learn to play all of our hunches
Making the best of what ever comes our way
Forget that blind ambition and learn to trust your intuition
Plowing straight ahead come what may
And theres a cowboy in the jungle"
Jimmy Buffet
May 26, 2017, 07:48 AM
tatortoddIn Flanders fields was written by a Canadian soldier and surgeon. I lived in Canada for nearly 2 years, and most of my Canadian friends and coworkers wore Poppies on Remembrance Day (same day as our Veterans Day). Additionally, In Flanders Fields was played throughout the day on the radio and was all over social media.
Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity
DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer. May 26, 2017, 08:33 AM
ffipsquote:
Originally posted by tatortodd:
In Flanders fields was written by a Canadian soldier and surgeon. I lived in Canada for nearly 2 years, and most of my Canadian friends and coworkers wore Poppies on Remembrance Day (same day as our Veterans Day). Additionally, In Flanders Fields was played throughout the day on the radio and was all over social media.
I learned some of that history this morning. He wrote the poem in 1915 the day after he had buried his friend who had died from a German shell. It is an interesting story.
The National World War I Museum and Memorial is in Kansas City, MO. I should have gone while I was there.
May 26, 2017, 09:07 AM
RogueJSKquote:
Originally posted by ffips:
The National World War I Museum and Memorial is in Kansas City, MO. I should have gone while I was there.
It's well worth a trip. One of the better military-related museums I've been to.
May 26, 2017, 09:11 AM
tatortoddquote:
Originally posted by ffips:
I learned some of that history this morning. He wrote the poem in 1915 the day after he had buried his friend who had died from a German shell. It is an interesting story.
Wikipedia doesn't cover this aspect - McCrae was the brigade doctor and the chaplain was away so McCrae conducted the funeral for his friend.
Another interesting tidbid, McCrae crumpled up the paper he had written the poem, and a fellow officer (debate as to which) convinced him to submit it for publishing.
Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity
DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer. May 26, 2017, 10:22 AM
4x5
Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
ʘ ͜ʖ ʘ May 26, 2017, 10:41 AM
JALLENThere was a day every year when everyone wore a poppy on their lapel, handed out by some service organization, maybe VFW and/or American Legion, perhaps for a donation. Anyway, it was near universal.
That custom stopped suddenly. Something to do with drugs, IIRC.
Luckily, I have enough willpower to control the driving ambition that rages within me.
When you had the votes, we did things your way. Now, we have the votes and you will be doing things our way. This lesson in political reality from Lyndon B. Johnson
"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." - Justice Janice Rogers Brown May 26, 2017, 11:18 AM
flashguyI clicked on this thread knowing that I would get emotional and cry. I always do when reading that poem. I can't explain it--it probably has something to do with some event during my childhood. Nevertheless, it persists.
I certainly remember the lapel poppies on Armistice Day (now called Veterans' Day) every year. Most of them were fake paper poppies, so I don't really "get" a drug connection. I have no doubt that the poppy symbol was at least partly a result of this moving poem. I'm guessing that the poppies were stopped when the day ceased being just about WWI.
(Pardon me--my screen is blurry.)
flashguy
Texan by choice, not accident of birth May 26, 2017, 11:21 AM
JALLENI looked it up.
quote:
One species of poppy, Papaver somniferum, is the source of the crude drug opium which contains powerful medicinal alkaloids such as morphine and has been used since ancient times as an analgesic and narcotic medicinal and recreational drug. It also produces edible seeds. Following the trench warfare which took place in the poppy fields of Flanders during World War I, poppies have become a symbol of remembrance of soldiers who have died during wartime.
wikipedia
Luckily, I have enough willpower to control the driving ambition that rages within me.
When you had the votes, we did things your way. Now, we have the votes and you will be doing things our way. This lesson in political reality from Lyndon B. Johnson
"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." - Justice Janice Rogers Brown May 26, 2017, 11:22 AM
YooperSigsThere has been a number of programs on WWI offered by our local history center. There is a cemetery walk coming up on 6-1 with re-enactors playing the role of the Doughboys. I hope to attend.
End of Earth: 2 Miles
Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
May 26, 2017, 11:35 AM
ffipsquote:
Originally posted by JALLEN:
There was a day every year when everyone wore a poppy on their lapel, handed out by some service organization, maybe VFW and/or American Legion, perhaps for a donation. Anyway, it was near universal.
That custom stopped suddenly. Something to do with drugs, IIRC.
The VFW has a program
Buddy Poppy. That is likely what you are remembering. I hope to be able to find one nearby and see if they are participating.
I remember finding a huge stash of them at my grandparent's house and not understanding what they were.
May 26, 2017, 11:39 AM
ffipsquote:
Originally posted by flashguy:
I clicked on this thread knowing that I would get emotional and cry. I always do when reading that poem. I can't explain it--it probably has something to do with some event during my childhood. Nevertheless, it persists.
I certainly remember the lapel poppies on Armistice Day (now called Veterans' Day) every year. Most of them were fake paper poppies, so I don't really "get" a drug connection. I have no doubt that the poppy symbol was at least partly a result of this moving poem. I'm guessing that the poppies were stopped when the day ceased being just about WWI.
(Pardon me--my screen is blurry.)
flashguy
Thank you for sharing your story. I am always amazed at the ability of words to draw out emotions.
My intent wasn't necessarily to aim this at WWI, but more toward the reminding that this holiday isn't about BBQ. Either way, I feel a bit more closely linked to those who have posted as they "get it."
May 26, 2017, 11:48 AM
BillyBonesNY"A mon fils-depuis que tes yeux sont ferme's les miens n'ont pas cesse' de pleurer"
To my son, since your eyes have closed mine have not ceased to weep (Verdun).
May 26, 2017, 12:15 PM
flashguyWhen I wrote that I didn't get a drug connection, I was meaning in reference to stopping the use of poppies to commemorate Armistice Day. (I did/do know that opium comes from poppies.)
flashguy
Texan by choice, not accident of birth May 26, 2017, 01:11 PM
tacfoleyRemembered today, in the American Cemetery at Madingley, just outside Cambridge, England -
Lt Thomas J Foley of Massachusetts + 23 February 1945 - lost over the North Sea in 466 BG Liberator 'Chris' Crate' - commemorated on the Wall of Remembrance.
Cpl John D Foley Jnr + 3 July 1944 of California - Plot C, Row O, Grave #58.
'At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them'.
tac
May 26, 2017, 01:31 PM
flashguyquote:
Originally posted by tacfoley:
Remembered today, in the American Cemetery at Madingley, just outside Cambridge, England -
Lt Thomas J Foley of Massachusetts + 23 February 1945 - lost over the North Sea in 466 BG Liberator 'Chris' Crate' - commemorated on the Wall of Remembrance.
Cpl John D Foley Jnr + 3 July 1944 of California - Plot C, Row O, Grave #58.
'At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them'.
tac
Father and uncle, tf?
flashguy
Texan by choice, not accident of birth May 26, 2017, 04:20 PM
ffipsStopped in at the VFW on the way home. If any prior posters would like one or two buddy poppys, drop me an email with your address.
May 26, 2017, 04:37 PM
snorisquote:
Originally posted by tacfoley:
Remembered today, in the American Cemetery at Madingley, just outside Cambridge, England -
Lt Thomas J Foley of Massachusetts + 23 February 1945 - lost over the North Sea in 466 BG Liberator 'Chris' Crate' - commemorated on the Wall of Remembrance.
Cpl John D Foley Jnr + 3 July 1944 of California - Plot C, Row O, Grave #58.
'At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them'.
tac
My wife and I were part of a church group that visited Madingley several years ago. It was one of the most sobering events I've ever experienced.