In Flanders Fields is a poem that was written by a World War I Colonel, a surgeon with Canada's First Brigade Artillery. He was writing of all the soldiers who died on Flanders' battlefield in western Belgium and northern France, marked with white crosses amidst a field of red poppies.
Because of this poem, poppies are a symbolic reminder of our veterans. Lately, I don't need a poppy to remind me of those that serve their country and protect my freedom. All I have to do is watch the news to hear of another fallen soldier coming home. I can't help but think about the poignant movie "Taking Chance". It stars Kevin Bacon and is based on a true story. Lt. Col. Micheal Strobl was a volunteer military escort officer and accompanied the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming. The movies portrays how a KIA is treated with such respect and honor from the beginning of their final journey home to the graveside Taps. I can guarantee you’ll need a box of tissues. There is something so very noble about it all. It reminds me of the Bible verse from John 15:13, Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
But Veteran’s Day isn’t just for the fallen soldiers, although their sacrifice is sometimes the first thing I think of. It is for the living; those that survived their tour of duty and those currently serving. I don’t think we can say thank you enough to our veterans and our military. I honor their life’s sacrifice but I often overlook their daily sacrifice of service. They put their life on the line everyday, sacrificed time with family and friends; and have given up many important life events. All to serve.
Thank you, to all that have and are serving our country. Thank you is so inadequate, but it is heartfelt.
In Flanders Fields is a poem that was written by a World War I Colonel, a surgeon with Canada's First Brigade Artillery. He was writing of all the soldiers who died on Flanders' battlefield in western Belgium and northern France, marked with white crosses amidst a field of red poppies.
Because of this poem, poppies are a symbolic reminder of our veterans. Lately, I don't need a poppy to remind me of those that serve their country and protect my freedom. All I have to do is watch the news to hear of another fallen soldier coming home. I can't help but think about the poignant movie "Taking Chance". It stars Kevin Bacon and is based on a true story. Lt. Col. Micheal Strobl was a volunteer military escort officer and accompanied the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming. The movies portrays how a KIA is treated with such respect and honor from the beginning of their final journey home to the graveside Taps. I can guarantee you’ll need a box of tissues. There is something so very noble about it all. It reminds me of the Bible verse from John 15:13, Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
But Veteran’s Day isn’t just for the fallen soldiers, although their sacrifice is sometimes the first thing I think of. It is for the living; those that survived their tour of duty and those currently serving. I don’t think we can say thank you enough to our veterans and our military. I honor their life’s sacrifice but I often overlook their daily sacrifice of service. They put their life on the line everyday, sacrificed time with family and friends; and have given up many important life events. All to serve.
Thank you, to all that have and are serving our country. Thank you is so inadequate, but it is heartfelt.
