1,343,812+

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.

Memorial Day Weekend has arrived again.  Those of us overseas won't be sharing in the festivities back home but we do hope everyone has a safe and relaxing day on Monday.  I am not sure if anyone knows what the true meaning of the day is anymore.  But it means more than back yard bar-b-ques, a long weekend, or a day to get great bargains at the mall.  Memorial Day, is about honoring the men and women who have lost their lives fighting the countries wars.   That number is over 1, 343, 812.  I say over because the country is still at war, and so that number changes almost daily.  The tradition of remembering the war dead goes back centuries -- but in the United States--the modern tradition dates to the Civil War.  That war was responsible for nearly half of the war deaths in our history.  Those killed in battle during the Civil War made up nearly 2% of the population of the country at that time.  If 2% of the country today died in a war there would be over 3 million dead.  Wow.  Over the years, the meaning of the day has gradually changed from a day to honor the war dead to just another three day weekend, a reason to party, a day to shop, or a day to celebate the "beginning of summer."  It has also become a day to remember all deaths...whether in war or not.  I have to admit, I was often under the belief that Memorial Day was a day to remember all loved one--not just military--mainly because I remember visiting graves of family members on that weekend--many who never served.  And it doesn't bother me at all if people choose Memorial Day to do that.  It is important to remember all those who have died--because everyone who is born and who walks on the earth--deserves to be remembered when they are gone.  What kills me is that so many people know nothing about the origin or history of the day.  It is just another long weekend on the calendar every May.  The start of summer.  Woo Hoo.  When Congress decided in 1967 to make Memorial Day fall on a Monday instead of on the traditional May 30th date, it had unintended consequences.  Over the years, the true meaning has been largely lost on the American people.  That is too bad.  But it is not too late for us to move back to that original meaning.  On Monday, light a candle, say a prayer, go to a parade or to a Memorial Day service, serve a meal to a homeless veteran.  You don't have to do everything on this list, but do something.  Then help yourself to some fried chicken, a burger, a dog or two and some a few cool beverages.  Enjoy yourself but be safe my friends.