Pass The Ammo

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. I’m just gonna post a few inspirational poems and stories about this special day.

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.

by John McCrae, May 1915

Michelle Malkin led me to this interesting read.

Excerpt…

So to the indifferent inquirer who asks why Memorial Day is still kept up we may answer, it celebrates and solemnly reaffirms from year to year a national act of enthusiasm and faith. It embodies in the most impressive form our belief that to act with enthusiam and faith is the condition of acting greatly. To fight out a war, you must believe something and want something with all your might. So must you do to carry anything else to an end worth reaching. More than that, you must be willing to commit yourself to a course, perhpas a long and hard one, without being able to foresee exactly where you will come out. All that is required of you is that you should go somewhither as hard as ever you can. The rest belongs to fate. One may fall-at the beginning of the charge or at the top of the earthworks; but in no other way can he reach the rewards of victory. More..

“Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude,–the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.”

General John A. Logan in his General Order No. 11 of May 5th, 1868,
Decoration Day

Scott posted a thanks and a poem, over at his place.

“And When He Gets To Heaven,
To Saint Peter He Will Tell;
One More Soldier Reporting Sir,
I’ve Served My Time In Hell”

And for one more Greyhawk posted a nice poem for his memorial day post.
Tending Distant Fires

Be sure to thank any vets you know today. We can never repay them.