11-11-11

“The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month… ”

That’s how I remember my grandfather speaking about Armistice Day, which we now call Veterans Day. It was a day that his generation optimistically celebrated as the end of “the war to end all wars,” honoring and remembering those who had sacrificed everything to win a peace that endured… for a brief time, until the ’30s when it became obvious that the end of war was a delusion.

Today, we pause to honor both those who have served, giving their lives to protect the liberties we enjoy, and those who have and still do serve in our military and still live.

But we honor thenm all knowing that the price they have paid and continue to pay, the service they gave and continue to give is more honorable and more worthy of our gratitude than any recognition or expresion of thanks we may show.

So rather than empty words of praise, let us embrace the challenge these lives of service raise. Note well the final verse below. Take up the torch and hold it high. Keep faith with those who died; keep faith with those who faithfully serve still.

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.

TB-posted to both Stop the ACLU’s open post and Veterans Day Open Trackback post.