On this cold and snowy Veterans Day in Colorado,
I am remembering that I am safe and free
because of the tremendous sacrifices of others,
strangers, friends, and family members
who chose to serve to preserve our freedom and way of life.
It's the 100th Anniversary of the end World War I,
and I am remembering this simple, poignant tribute
to the One Million British Empire Dead in that horrific war.
The memorial graces a column in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Tribute to the British Empire Dead of WWI
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France
May 2014
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Seeing Canada and Newfoundland on that plaque
brought tears to my eyes in May 2014.
Among these one million dead are members of my family
whom I know only from old photographs.
One Million Dead
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France
May 2014
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
I am also remembering the simple, poignant, poem
of Canadian John McCrae, a physician from Guelph, Ontario,
who died shortly after penning these words of life, love, and loss:
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
by John McCrae
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.
Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae
Most of all I am remembering my parents,
Donald and Sara (MacDonald) MacBeath who served in the Canadian Forces,
my mother during WWII and my father shortly after WWII.
My mother was just old enough to enter WWII,
my father just young enough to be unable to serve in that war.
I like to remember them, not in their uniforms,
but on their honeymoon when they were young, optimistic, and full of hope.
Donald and Sara (MacDonald) MacBeath who served in the Canadian Forces,
my mother during WWII and my father shortly after WWII.
My mother was just old enough to enter WWII,
my father just young enough to be unable to serve in that war.
I like to remember them, not in their uniforms,
but on their honeymoon when they were young, optimistic, and full of hope.
Don and Sara MacBeath
Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
September 4, 1948
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
We must never forget the sacrifices of those who served,
who were injured or maimed physically and mentally,
or who died for us.
Whether you mark this day as Veterans Day, Remembrance Day,
Armistice Day, or by another name,
I hope you are remembering
these selfless sacrifices with gratitude and love.
Armistice Day, or by another name,
I hope you are remembering
these selfless sacrifices with gratitude and love.
Sure one poem that will live on forever. And yep, have to remember everything they did as many of us would not be here or enjoying what we have if it weren't for them.
ReplyDeleteYou're spot on, Pat! Have a great start to the week!
DeleteGreetings Louise. Yes, we must remember all the sacrifices of our armed forces in the present and in history during conflict to protect our rights or the rights of innocent victims of tyranny. You've expressed yourself very well. My Granddad on my Mother's side served in WWII, he happily lived to tell his tale. A heart-warming tribute, with some good photo's. Blessings to you. Thanks for popping by and reading what I've wrote on one of my novels, it is much appreciated. Love love, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather, on my father's side served in WWI; fortunately he survived the conflict. I enjoyed the opening pages of your novel. Thank you for posting it! Have a good day, my friend!
DeleteA fine and profound post. Much appreciated here.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Geo! It's so great to see you pop up!
DeleteI have long loved that poem. I don't know of a member of my family who served in WWI, but one of my dad's ancestors fought for the Union during the Civil War and my dad and some other family members served during WWII. My brother was called up during the first Gulf War. These veterans take on responsibilities of which I am in awe.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Hi, Janie! I, too, am in awe of what people who serve our country in the forces take on. I went to a house in our community recently to meet and hear the Democratic candidate for our 6th Congressional District. He volunteered for the Infantry right after 9/11. Then he became a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. Then be became an Army Ranger. He led over 100 combat missions into Iraq and Afghanistan. He participated in the door-to-door, house-to-house battle to take Bagdad. He survived three tours of duty and won a Bronze Star Medal. He was not a big, brawny guy like you might imagine: slight build, not even tall. I can't imagine what he experienced and endured, and how courageous he must have been. And he volunteered because he felt compelled to after 9/11. When I met him, all I could say was "Thank you for your service." I was truly in awe. He did unseat our Representative of five terms and became the first Democrat elected to our congressional district. Just one of millions of veteran stories. I'm sure your brother had stories to tell too. Thanks for visiting, Janie! I truly appreciate it, especially when I've had such a hard time at being consistent.
DeleteWhat a beautiful tribute!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cherie! Remembrance Day has always been meaningful for me.
DeleteThanks for a very thought provoking post. We must never forget the fallen.
ReplyDeleteFrom your latest follower.......Yvonne.
Thank you, Yvonne ~ for the kind words and following! Have a great day!
DeleteA very beautiful tribute my friend! Thank you!! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stacy! Big hugs back at you!
DeleteI can't get my head around that number of 1,000,000 people. My goodness that was one miserable war....what war isn't.
ReplyDeleteI too thank all those who chose to go and defend our liberties.
Look what I found! Hi, Jim! Thank you for your comment. You're right ~ every war is miserable. The only thing that keeps me from despair when I contemplate the evil that some humans have unleashed on humanity is that there are many, many wonderful people in the world, people like you and Ron.
Deleteyou are lucky to have brave parents sacrifice of others.
ReplyDeletehave a great day.