Memorial Day: In Flanders Fields. We Shall Keep the Faith

Last year during Memorial Day, Vin Scully recited part of the poem  In Flanders Field and We Shall Keep the faith
 
War Dead

As we remember our fallen heroes this memorial day, here are these two poems:     


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“In Flanders Fields”
– Lieutenant-Colonel John Mc Crae / WWI

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. “

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Moina Michaels got inspired by “in Flanders Fields”  when she wrote
 

We Shall Keep the Faith

by Moina Michael, November 1918

Moina Michael

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet – to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.

 

Have a safe Memorial Day!   In a couple of hours I’ll go pickup a friend who usually takes several busses to go to the stadium but since is a holiday, some busses are not running.   Alex lives in Ontario and sits in the Top Deck.   He had a stroke but is doing better now.   Anyone lives in Ontario and goes to the stadium. 

Looking forward to the Memorial celebration at Dodger stadium, watching my boys in Blue, listening to Vin Scully and watching the game with friends and family.    

Andre Ethier is back today too!  Woohoo! 

12 comments

  2. crzblue2

    Thanks Jane. I just think those two poems are so beautiful.
    One thing I love about Joe Torre is that in the 7th inning, he has his entire team stand outside the dugout when singing “God Bless America” I look at the visiting dugoout and some are outside and some on the steps or around.

    Reply
  3. raysrenegade

    Emma,
    Very inspiring poems.
    Hope you have a grand day at the ballpark.
    My boys are in Canada playing Toronto, but I know they will remember the day as they sport those white caps with the stars and bars on them.
    This generation has been blessed with not having a ballplayer having to leave his baseball position by surrendering his bat and glove for a rifle and canteen.
    It was a blessing serving, and also bringing thew sport I love with me to Kuwait and Southern Iraq.
    I will definitely remember my fallen comrades and friends today, along with the other generations of soldiers and their families who have honored us by sacrificing themselves.

    Rays Renegade

    http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com

    Reply
  7. crzblue2

    Cliff,
    Sorry your boys lost in Canada. Yes, this generation should count their blessings. Thank you for your service to this great country!
    .
    Rob,
    Love that Newcombe, Roy Gleason and Rick Monday got to throw out the first pitch.
    .
    Peter,
    Had a great time at the ballpark. It was odd that it ended on a walk-off balk. I was taking pictures when I saw all the Dodger players pointing that it was a balk. the first one I think it was the bearded one, Casey Blake.
    .

    Jeff,
    I had not heard the poem either until Vin Scully recited a couple of stanzas last year and I found them so powerful and beautiful.

    Reply
  10. crzblue2

    rays,
    I love those words in the poem. I wanted to find a poppy red flower to wear it to the stadium but I was running late on Monday.

    Reply

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