IN FLANDERS FIELDS

Yesterday a special garden was opened in England to commemorate Flanders Fields in Belguim. Apparently bags of soil from Flanders Fields were transported from Belguin with reverence. They were brought to help to create the garden. Other gardens will be created throughout the world as a gift from the Belgians to those who fought on their land in World War One. For Canadians, John McCrae wrote a very famous poem that is read each Remembrance Day at services and ceremonies.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

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 FLAILING 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.
John McCrae

He was one of many Canadians that did not survive the war. He did not survive the battles at Flanders Fields.

It is a very poignant poem. Short and simple. It could be applied to other conflicts and battles. So as Remembrance Day approaches, it is a time to reflect on the past but also to think about the present hoping the current conflicts will be short lived and hope for peace and prosperity for earth's children.

A POSTCARD FROM BELGUIM

My folks received many postcards from friends over the years. I found this one postmarked from Belguim but is actually from the Moulin Rouge- a painting by Jean-Denis Malcles.

It was dated Feb. 5, 1999- Oostkamp, Belguim. " Dear Mae &Elli: Well here it is Feb. and we are still in Europe. Have been to many beautiful cities. Paris & Vienna being 2 of our favorites. We have spent a lot of our time in Belguim, everyone here has been so kind & generous. We have been taken is like we where family, not the 2 complete strangers that we where when we arrived on the doorstep of the cousin of Ava who is looking after the practice at home. We have seen the Louve and Mona Lisa amongest other masterpieces and Vatican City in Rome were I think God must live. So many good people, good food, good wine. We are both well as we hope this finds you. Love Linda * P.S. how was the cruise, did you see my friend the waiter?"

Don't postcards give a little snapshot of a person's life? If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.