11-11-11

   

Australian Poster

     When I was little, my mom would quote "In Flanders Fields" to us on Veteran's Day; then known as Armistice Day.  I really didn't give it much thought until this week's zentangle challenge by the Diva.  So I did a little more research and discovered the following information:

Inspiration for “In Flanders Fields”

Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, 1st Brigade Canadian Field Artillery. ⁽¹⁾

During the early days of the Second Battle of Ypres a young Canadian artillery officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed on 2^nd May, 1915 in the gun positions near Ypres. An exploding German artillery shell landed near him. He was serving in the same Canadian artillery unit as a friend of his, the Canadian military doctor and artillery commander Major John McCrae.

As the brigade doctor, John McCrae was asked to conduct the burial service for Alexis because the chaplain had been called away somewhere else on duty that evening. It is believed that later that evening, after the burial, John began the draft for his now famous poem “In Flanders Fields”.

 I love the poem and I loved when the American Legion would give out paper poppies.  My dad was in WWII and we had a graveside military service for him when he passed away...gun salute and all.  I still think this day is one of our most special days...but I don't think it gets the recognition it deserves.  I will fly my flag and I will wear my flag T-shirt and I will re-read "In Flanders Field"...unlike my mom, I have not memorized it!

An Armistice Day poster

     What I didn't realize was that the poem was written by a Canadian, and that other countries also commemorate a similar day until the Diva gave us her weekly challenge: "Lest We Forget".  She writes some very interesting stuff on Canada's Remembrance Day.
  In Canada there is the Royal Canadian Legion which is similar to our American Legion. And Scotland has a Poppy Day.

A Scottish poster I saw on the Internet

     So with all that said and done...here is my Zentangle and accompanying haiku!

"Poppies in the fields.
All the crosses in a row.
Must NEVER forget!"