Memorial Day --- Honoring Our Fallen Heroes

Across the nation, many cities and towns will hold celebrations, parades and of course there will be the obligatory barbecues. Many speakers will give oratory honoring those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, crowds will cheer and wave Old Glory and bands will play rousing military music. Please take a moment this weekend to visit a local cemetery and say a small prayer of thanks over the grave of a veteran who has given their lives so that you may enjoy yours.

This was a favorite poem of my father, a veteran of WWII who was wounded serving our great nation, he carried it in his wallet so he never forgot the friends he lost on the battlefields of Europe. It was written by Dr. John McCrea and first published in 1915. I'd like to share it with all of you as we honor our heroes this weekend.

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.