In Flanders Fields

[BobF]

Thank you Chairrock.

[Wldrns]

i visited the Flanders Cemetery and Museum in Ypres, Belgium six years ago, as well as those in Verdun, Ardennes, Luxembourg, Brittany, and of course Normandy. Very emotional, all of them. What struck me most was the people in many of the small villages who still strongly remember what was done for them and the meaning of freedom. Most have have impressive monuments large and small to the memory of the Allies who fought for them. More so appreciatiative than many here at "home".

After seeing these, I strongly believe that it should be a mandatory trip for every federal elected official, to at least visit Normandy for that perspective. It would impress and (should) change some heads.

[chairrock]

In Flanders Fields
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.