In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
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.

FINAL INSPECTION
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass.

"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The Solider squared his shoulders and said
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just to steep,

And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgement of his God.

"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."


Peace and Thanks...

David

FORGOTTEN FIGHTER

"In World War II" he whispered,
"I was wounded by a blast."
As he began his story,
Reminiscing of his past.

"I was just a boy back then,
I lied about my age.
To get into the army
And fight for the USA

I love this country very much,
It's still the very best.
And I would fight, to keep it free,
And, safe from foreign pest.

We won that war, and I came home,
My wounds had healed enough,
To re-enlist, with other men.
The army made us tough.

Then a little flare up,
In Korea called us out.
A threat against our freedom,
Spreading fear without a doubt.

There I caught a bullet,
When I tried to save a friend.
Another wound, for Uncle Sam,
They sent me home to mend."

"Soldier, have you had enough?"
My sergeant said to me.
"Or, do you want another tour,
If ever there's to be.

We would train and fight again,
If ever it need be,
Because we loved America,
We'll fight to keep it free."

"It didn't take too long.
Before my boys were off again.
We were shipped off to a war,
We thought would never end.

I didn't understand it much,
If it was wrong or right.
But I was a US soldier,
And my country said "Go Fight"

I never questioned orders,
That were sent from up above.
I did it for America,
The country, that I love.

I fought to keep my country safe,
Again, in Vietnam.
Then, wounded I came home again,
A victim of napalm.

My fighting days were over now,
And, I had given all.
But, some had given more than me,
Their names are on a wall.

I am now, well up in years,
A soldier old and worn.
I could only sit and pray,
As, I watched Desert Storm.

So proud of our boys over there,
Who stand for what is right.
Freedom is the battle cry,
The reason why they fight.

Young soldiers fight for liberty,
Protecting freedom's bliss.
Old soldiers dream of bygone days,
While fighting loneliness.

We were heroes in our day,"
He said, and then he sighed.
"Forgotten in some V. A. home,
And all my friends, have died.

I never ask for anything,
Just wanted to live free.
But, if you write this story,
There are many just like me.

Who fought to keep our country,
Safe and free from every foe.
Only to come home again,
And have no place to go.

Sadly, when the limelight fails,
Heroes fade away.
Some men fight the silent battles,
Till their dying day.

Please remember what it took,
And what we have to pay
And join with us remembering
On this Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is Special,
It is not just summer's start.
The reason that we have this day,
Should be etched on your heart.

Lives were lost, and young men died,
To keep this country free.
So take a moment on that day,
To meditate with me.

Remember all those valiant men,
And women who fought for,
The lifestyle that you now enjoy,
Because they went to war.

Thank U

Freedom isn't free. Every Memorial Day I take the time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and paid that price.

Today, my wife, her mother, and myself will place flowers on her father's grave. He passed on 3 years ago. He was lucky to come home from Europe and World War II. But he left alot of fellow soldiers there.

Let us all remember that today and everyday Freedom isn't Free. Randy

Thank you Coach for starting this thread.

I’d like to dedicate today to Pvt. Arthur C. Jeffers. US Army, 133rd Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, KIA at Anzio, Italy on January 26, 1944. Interned at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery at Nettuno. My grandfather.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

We are the nation we are today due to the brave souls who freely gave all they had and never asked for anything in return. R.I.P. and thank-you.

nuther dave

Curiously my mothers B-day is the 26th so it always falls pretty close to memorial day.

Although now 10 years passed, we also remember dad who spent 33 yrs serving his country.

We 'cue it up royally rain or shine and remember those whose shoulders we all stand on...

The old man will always be there in attendence... cuz there's nothing the old Colonel loved more than some toasted swine and a cold one!

Step son has fourteen years in now and has survived two trips to the sand box.

A good day to give thanks and celebrate the life we are so blessed to have.

It didnt come cheap.

Thanks Coach.

God bless those who have served and paid the ultimate price, and God bless those who are serving or have served to keep our country great.

Spc. 4 Bauer, 97G10, US Army 89-92

Thanks coach. Brought a tear to these old eyes you did.

My dad was a WWII vet and my brother one from Vietnam.

Although I do not believe that war is the answer...I DO support the troops for all they do. I just hope my protests brings some back safe today as they did in the 70s.

:thumbsup::thumbsup: To the men and women who serve.

God bless them all for being so unselfish and giving, more so than any of the rest of us could ever hope to be.

Thanks Coach...I work a guy in the reserves and he is back now. He risked his life and was just so glad nothing happened to him. We talk every morning before work and always thank him risking his life for all of us.

The owner of our Company bought a huge RED, WHITE and BLUE cake last year and threw a party for him upon his return. :hat:

Bob...God Bless Our Troops...zilla

Amen and God Bless those who keep and watch for us through perilous times.
Christian

As has been said before; Freedom isn't Free, it is paid for with the blood and the youth of those who serve fighting for our Freedom. We must always remember those who have fought and died so that we may live free.
I will always remember my friends and Team Mates that didn't make it back, and my dreams are still haunted by the faces of those I will never see again in this world.
May God Bless all those who have served and will serve the cause of freedom in the world!

Tom

Good thread, Coach. I hope at least one serviceman sees this and realizes that some of us still appreciate what they do. God bless 'em.

I support the men and women of this countries armed forces. I am not so sure I support the causes they are fighting for at this time. I was quite upset to hear that they were sent to do battle and were not given all they needed to minimize the dangers. I certainly am greatfull for the freedoms I have and thanks all those who have served to keep those freedoms avail. to myself and my family. A well deserved holiday for the nation, it is important to stop, think and appreciate the service done by these fine young people on the behalf of the citizens of the U.S. To all the people who gave some and to the people who gave all, Thank you and a prayer for you and your families.