Monday, May 31, 2010

The Poppies........



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.

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)



Msgt. Coy A. Huskey

U.S. Army, Signal Corps
(1921-2000)

To all who have served, who serve today, who have given the ultimate in the act of service to this country; to my father who served proudly in World War II and brought the unmistakable impressions of it's physical and mental wounds home with him, and to all others who valiantly face daily what we--the civilian public, cannot imagine--you are honored.
May the time come soon when, through our better angels, we can put behind us the grievances that breed war and celebrate strictly honored memories upon Memorial Day.
May we find and keep the peace these men and women so valiantly fought and died for, and continue to do so even now.
This is the same text as last year's post, because there is still a vital need for the same words to be read, and pondered and shouted and heard throughout the land.
Until there is peace, for all, for ever.........
May we not forget.

Pax.

19 comments:

studio lolo said...

~amen~

Thank you for posting this again as I had not seen it before. I have always loved that poem. Your accompanying words make it even more special.

xoxo
Lolo♥

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Lolo,

After growing up in the military and being married to it, I am not the usual Officer's Wife. I am a pacifist and pray for a day when people can sit beside each other without the need or desire to make war.
No one knows the wounds it leaves, visible and invisible.

XXOO!!
Anne

yoborobo said...

I love that poem, Anne. I haven't read it for a long time. I hope and pray that we can evolve to a place where war is not the answer for our grievances and differences. It can't come soon enough. xoxoxo! Pam

kj said...

anne, my father had a large poster with this poem. it still hangs, tattered yet clear, in the workroom in his cellar.

when i was little, i would read that poem over and over. it was the first poem i ever memorized.

reading 'flanders field' here tightens my throat. i can hear my Dad at the kitchen table, talking about his service, how proud he was.

sometimes when our service men and women are honored i don't understand why there are not more prayers and pride for NO WAR. this is one of the parts of human evolution i do not understand: we have advanced in so many ways, and yet we still battle one another.

thank you for a wonderful memory, anne.

sniff...

love
kj

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I love it too Pam.
Every year, I wonder when people will learn that the more they fight, the worse it is on all of us...every single person absorbs some of it.
Sometimes, I think chimps are much more civilized......
Have a good day today!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey KJ,

I too remember dad finally talking about WWII. He was a lifer, retired in 1967. For years he would not speak of the war. And he never went into details. He contracted malaria while in the South Pacific and I am sure that led to other health issues.
You know, our country has become so polarized that to say you support the service members and do not support war boggles peoples minds. For God's sake YES! I do support them with all my heart, and having an inkling of what they are going through, WANT THEM HOME!!!
Maybe we'll live to see minds of higher thoughts prevail, and war become a remnant of an evolving civilization....I hope.....

XXOO!!
Anne

Anonymous said...

So beautiful and so perfect.
Thank you for a special reminder!
lk

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Lori...
May you have a lovely day today!

XXOO!!
Anne

Karen S said...

Your post brought tears to my eyes. I watched "Good Morning Viet Nam" with my 14-year-old son last night. So much has changed since then and so much has not changed.

Thanks.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Yes Karen, that is the sad part.
One step forward, two steps back.

XXOO!!
Anne

Jan said...

Very thoughtful post, Anne.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Jan..... ;)

XXOO!!
Anne

Deborah said...

HOOAH! I stand grateful and proud to be an American. LOVE LOVE LOVE your new cup! I must get! **kisskiss** Deb

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Deb,

Just popping in between the weather!
Another line of storms moving toward us.....every memorial day...every one!!!

XXOOO!!
Anne

Robbie said...

A beautiful post, Anne!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Robbie!

I have been laying low, resting today.
Tomorrow, back at it....
I'm thinking it is close to a Give-Away time..... :)

XXOO!!
Anne

Ces Adorio said...

Hello Anne!

Thank you! Thank you for this post. OMG, you have some of your dad's features. Aaaw! Reading about the great American soldiers of WWII give me goosebumps. Actually, stories about soldiers. It's the ultimate service and sacrifice sometimes.

Anne, today I thought about my husband's uncles, father, grandfathers. Even my grandfather served the US army in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation and my Father fought in the Japanese war.

Here's to hoping that governments and societies work towards peace without giving up our sovereignty.

I love your cup!

Thank you for the wonderful comment on my blog!

Tsup!

Anonymous said...

This touched my heart!!
Love,
Marilyn

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Ces and Marilyn,

Thanks for the kind comments!

XXOO!!
Anne

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