Lest We Forget

In Flanders Fields

By Lt. Col. John McCrae, MD

(1872 - 1918)

Of the Canadian Army

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.

Today, the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause at the 11th hour to remember. We remember those who died to preserve the ideals and way of life that our nation treasures so much. As Canadians we remember those who faught and died in South Africa during the Boer War, the 625,825 who served during the First World War (of whom 61, 082 died and 154,361 were wounded), the 1,086,343 who served during the Second World War (of whom 42,042 were killed and 54,414 were injured), the 27,751 who served during the Korean War (of whom 516 died and 1,072 were wounded), the countless men and women who have served during International Peacekeeping missions (of whom 119 have died). We also remember those who continue to fight in Peacekeeping missions and in Afganistan as part of the NATO forces there. The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces offer a site of rememberance for those who have given their lives in the Afganistan mission.

It is striking to me how many of those who have died in service in Afganistan have not yet reached the age of 30, and how many of them were in their early 20's. War is a sad and terrible evil - but I suppose their are worse evils in the world.

So, today we honour those who have offered themselves to protect their nation, their way of life, and others around the world who would suffer if no one else would be willing to fight for them. We honour the men and women - regardless of whether we agree with our troops participation in these wars. Whether or not we believe in war - we honour those who were - and are - selfless enough to risk their lives for the sake of others.

Lest we forget.