This day is pretty important to us, to teach the kids to honour the memories of soldiers lost long ago, and to remember the soldiers that still fight. To be reminded of war and the sacrifice so many make so that we can live free. All of our Grandparents immigrated to Canada from Holland, post-war. The stories that we have been given are glimpses of what they went through, but even then its hard to fathom. And so we remember in the only way we can, we remember without fully understanding the horrors of what so many have seen and what so many have experienced, and still do experience. And we pray for soldiers, for the men and women who gave and who give their lives in the past, and in the present. We pray for the countries that are constantly at war, we pray for the countries that are at peace.
The fourth verse (not often sung anymore) of our anthem always gives me shivers, the words so strong and clear to the One who is in control. Sometimes I wonder how long it will be before they change these words, for the God we sing of is the God who is also forgotten and pushed away. On Sunday after church our congregation stood for a moment of silence and sung these words.
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all they sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
Chorus
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our Dominion in they loving care;
Help us to find, O God, in thee
A lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the better Day,
We ever stand on guard.
Chorus
And although this poem is so well known, I find myself reading it over and over every year at this time.
Its beautiful.
Its beautiful.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS POEM
By Lieutenant Colonel 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
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
Composed at the battlefront on
May 3, 1915
during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium
May 3, 1915
during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium
(picture taken from www.picsearch.com)
H came home from school and told me that they had talked about remembering the shoulders :-)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I don't remember hearing that verse before! Also, have always loved that poem...very touching and actually, I don't think people know it well in the states. I miss the poppies that everyone wears...lovely post.
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