In Remembrance of the Greatness

Appreciation, Gratitude, In Flanders Fields, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Life, Love, Memorial Day, Memorials, Poems, Relationship, Sacrifice, Saving Lives, United States Federal Holiday

In Remembrance of the Greatness

bk
May 24, 2008
In Remembrance of the Greatness

Memorial Day is a United States Federal Holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who perished while in military service to their country. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, after World War I it was expanded to include casualties of any war or military action.

Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. US Eastern time. Another tradition is to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers usually place an American flag upon each grave site located in a National Cemetery. (Read more at Wikipedia)

In Flanders Fields by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

In Remembrance of the Greatness

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.

_______________________________________
Photo credit: Karen Barefoot and Dani Geza

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19 thoughts on “In Remembrance of the Greatness”

  3. Symphony of Love Post author

    Hi, I am not Pinoy 😉
    I am just a Singaporean who is fortunate to be able to stay in Philippines for about 1.5 years because of some business previously.

    Philippines is a beautiful country and there are so many places that I want to go in Philippines but I was not able to go to all these places.

  7. Tammy-Cricket

    It is amazing that so many people have no idea what Memorial Day represents. My father fought in the Vietnam War. Do this day…his life has never been the same.

    Wonderful tribute BK.

    1. Symphony of Love Post author

      @ Maria, Happy Memorial Day too.

      @ Tammy, sometimes we tend to take for granted the peace we are enjoying now and forget those who had sacrificed for this great cause. It must be an unforgettable experience for your father to be so far away from home and fighting.

  8. Liara Covert

    BK, although the Memorial day holiday is celebrated on different dates in different countries, the sentiment is meaningful for all. Each human being is reminded that something beyond them watches over and protects the soul. Love is everywhere. It is not always visual but can always be detected by a discerning heart.

  9. Symphony of Love Post author

    @ Liara, yes, it is meaningful for all. And I believe Memorial Day makes even more sense for those who had been through wars themselves; either fighting as soldiers themselves or having someone in their families fighting as one. They would always be reminded about the cruelties of war.

    1. Symphony of Love Post author

      @ iWalk, indeed it is good for us to remember those national heroes.

      @ Mharms, during this memorial weekend, let us remember all those who sacrificed for the peace we are enjoying now and be grateful to them and their families.