"In Flanders Fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row."

 Because, I regularly volunteer, at the only nationally recognized World War I Museum and Memorial, Veterans Day holds a very special place in my heart. I volunteer at this particular facility because I have always harbored a genuine love of history and family. My grandfather and his two younger brothers, were all veterans of WWI. They were the Wintle Boys of Pittsburg, Kansas. Tom, Harry and Walter. Veterans Day was first celebrated as the day that their war, WWI, ended. It was first called Armistice Day....11/11. The eleventh hour, of the eleventh day.

Then, as time passed and the "War to End All Wars" wasn't, we chose to set aside a day to honor all veterans, "Veterans Day".

The veterans of WWII are all but gone, now. My father-in-law, Stillwater Bill Kincaid, served in the Pacific Theater, of that war. John Cresap, my father Michael Keller, and others like Red Hines, Joe Tognascioli, Bill and Kay Scully, Bernice Williams and the three Stewart brothers of Mulberry, Kansas. All gone now, and all were veterans of WWII. One Stewart brother, Raymond, lost his life on the beach at Normandy, and my father's best friend, Jimmy McCarrens, lost his life on the battleship, Arizona.

Then, along came Korea. My friend Joe Carter is a veteran of that war. My childhood friends and classmates fought in the Vietnamese Conflict, and then came the Gulf Wars.  It seems the United States has always been involved in some type of conflict. Unfortunately, the Great War (1914-1918), was not the "War to End All Wars". 

But, veterans, from all eras, should be honored and celebrated. Don't ever forget those who fought and fight currently, for our right to live and thrive, in this nation. Don't forget to honor Veterans.

 In Flanders Fields

By 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.

......................................................................................................................................................................

Lord, we are people, who should remember. We should remember and not repeat our mistakes. Remind us to listen and learn. Wisdom is so hard to acquire. We ask guidance, through Your Holy Name.