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| Veterans Day; In Rememberence | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 11 2005, 12:24 PM (136 Views) | |
| Biyah | Nov 11 2005, 12:24 PM Post #1 |
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A Keeper of Lore & a Guardian of Secrets
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November 11th, 1918 After years of hell in the Trenches, the first great World War, the War to end all Wars, comes to a close on 5am in the bloody forest of Compiegne, when the Germans sign an Armistice. One year later, President Woodrow Wilson issued an Armistice Day proclamation. It read, in part "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with Solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which if has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy peace and justice in the councils of the nation." Many years later on May 24th, 1954; after various other proclamations by the US Federal Government and a few State governments, Congress declared that Armistice Day would be renamed Veterans Day and it would become a Federal Holiday. President Eisenhower, himself a veteran of the European Theater in World War 2, asked the nation to observe the date to honor the servicemen of all America's Wars. So this is Veterans Day, a day to honor the Soldiers of our country... alive and dead. Whatever your politics, whatever your motivations, I believe the soldiers who spend their lives on the front deserve our respect. I have included three poems, the first being "In Flanders Fields" by Lt Col John McCrae. This poem was written during the First World War, about the Battle of Ypres. I found it fitting. Also included are two other poems, replies to "In Flanders Fields". 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 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. Reply to In Flanders Fields In Flanders Fields the cannons boom, And fitful flashes light the gloom; While up above, like eagles, fly The fierce destroyers of the sky; With stains the earth wherein you lie Is redder than the poppy bloom, In Flanders Fields. Sleep on, ye brave! The shrieking shell, The quaking trench, the startling yell, The fury of the battle hell Shall wake you not, for all is well; Sleep peacefully, for all is well. Your flaming torch aloft we bear, With burning heart and oath we swear To keep the faith, to fight it through, To crush the foe, or sleep with you, In Flanders Fields. ~JA Armstrong America's Answer Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead The fight that you so bravely led We've taken up. And we will keep True faith with you who lie asleep, With each a cross to mark his bed, And poppies blowing overhed, When once his own life-blood ran red So let your rest be sweet and deep In Flanders Fields. Fear not that ye have died for naught; The torch ye threw to us we caught, Ten million hands will hold it high, And freedom's light shall never die! We've learned the lesson that ye taught In Flanders' fields. ~RW Lilliard |
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| Kurdazistan | Nov 30 2005, 10:23 AM Post #2 |
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:poke: Never forget. |
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