Veterans Day…
Good morning everyone.
A rainy day at Arlington as we remember our military veterans. In other parts of the world, it’s known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day (which is what I grew up calling it in Canada). Watching the ceremonies right now it seems fitting sometimes to see grey skies and rain. What’s left of Ida is the cause of today’s gloomy atmosphere, and unfortunately the Midatlantic up and up the east coast will remain unsettled for the rest of the week as the low associated with Ida moves off shore and hangs out while a non-tropical low southeast of Bermuda may get absorbed by the coastal storm. No doubt the combination of these two systems is going to bring a powerful storm just off shore, so we’ll have to monitor things closely. Heavy rain, strong winds, rip currents and beach erosion will be the story from the Outer Banks to Long Island. Heavy rain will cause flooding in this region with some areas seeing upwards of 6 inches.
On the other coast, we have some rain and snow entering the picture from Northern California up into Washington and Oregon. Up to an inch of rain and over a foot of snow could pile up in the Cascades.
I think I published this poem last year. It’s something I associate with Veterans Day because we used to say it out loud in class as kids. We also used to sell little plastic poppies to wear on November 11th to commemorate the day of remembrance.
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.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm
(From the AP: poppies placed in a fountain to mark the 91st anniversary of the end of World War I on Armistice Day in Trafalgar Square, London, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009. Tens of millions of civilians and soldiers were killed during what was labeled the Great War between Germany and allied nations France, Britain and its former colonies, including the United States, Australia and Canada)
Good morning Janice , I’d just like to wish Thank everybody on here that has a loved one serving in the Military, who is a veteran, or has or had a family member who served at some point in time to keep our Great nation free as well as the rest of the world, THANK YOU!, a poppy isn’t enough sometimes to exspress our gratitude , or heal a hurt for those who laid down their lives for our safety.
Once again Thank you & may God bless you.
Richard King.
Thanks, Janice, for the poem and the reminder.
God bless those who take the oath to serve our country and, most especially, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for her! Thank you, each and every one!
Gwen (proudly wearing my American Flag lapel pin)
Hey Janice,
I’ve read that poem many times and it is very moving. Thanks for sharing it.
I’d like to thank all those who have served in the military or are currently serving to keep us safe. Thanks also to the families of those who serve because they make a lot of sacrifices, too. Thank you all and God bless you!
Janice, I sent you a few pictures last night so I hope you got them. It’s just a few of the new hospital that people may enjoy.
I have a lot of work to do so I better get going. I hurt my back yesterday, but it was after all the packing was done! I think I overloaded myself taking some stuff to my car and since I was tired, I wound up straining my back. That’ll teach me! I’m working a little slower today but I’ll survive.
Have a great afternoon everyone!
Margie
Arlington Cemetery should be a destination for everyone. It’s a emotional experience that’s hard to describe.
Had a son who was in The Old Guard in Arlington and not only guarded the tomb but was part of many funerals everyday.
Hey everyone,
I forgot to mention something in my previous post. When I had lunch today in the library, I looked up to check the time and discovered someone stole my wall clock! People have nerve!
Hey Don,
I’ve been to Arlington a couple times and it is very impressive. All that walking is hard on my bad knees but it’s definitely worth the pain. Those soldiers that guard the tomb are so impressive. I loved finding out that there’s a meaning behind their every move. It is very interesting to learn about those things.
Margie
Margie
The sun glasses they wear are so then can see behind them. They act like a mirror. They have no bullets in the guns but will use the bayonet to protect the tomb. The area is constantly on camera and the men under the stand have loaded machine guns and can be outside in seconds.
Dear Janice,
Thank you so much for the beautiful poem, Fox did such a wonderful job of honoring our country’s best and brightest of today and yesteryear every one brought tears to my eyes.
That was so cute what you said about Matthew standing up in bed and I don’t think you could have put more perfect words in his mouth.
Is he walking yet…………..we are so happy for the three of you looking forward to your new home.
Clare and A. J. PS… Sure wish no sleep did for me what it does for the way you looked today and you sure do look like you have lost weight. xxxxI am just jealous.
Dear Janice,
Thank you so much for the beautiful poem, Fox did such a wonderful job of honoring our country’s best and brightest of today and yesteryear every one brought tears to my eyes.
That was so cute what you said about Matthew standing up in bed and I don’t think you could have put more perfect words in his mouth.
Is he walking yet…………..we are so happy for the three of you looking forward to your new home.
Clare and A. J.
Hi, Janice,
Thank you for posting “In Flanders fields the poppies blow….” My Grandpa, George Anderson Spink, read it to me when I was a boy. He was born in Birmingham, England in 1886, moved to the States with his parents and brother in 1900, and settled in Chicago.
Although he was married and had three children, he enlisted to fight the Germans during World War One. He survived the war and was happy to return home to his family. So many others were not so fortunate….
I was a boy during World War Two. I remember Grandpa Spink listening to BBC war news on his German-made Grundig-Majestic shortwave table radio that he bought in 1935. He ran an antenna wire from their second-floor flat down to a water pipe in the ground. His reception was terrific!
Grandpa Spink never lost his love of England or his great British wit. He loved to say things backwards, just to catch you off guard. Here are two of his favorite witticisms:
“Throw me down the stairs my hat!”
“The last train is first coming now.”
Grandpa Spink died in 1965. I still miss him so….
Your buddy,
George Spink