Today is Memorial Day 2025. At 3 PM today I will pause for one minute to remember those who died in service to their country. I will also give special thanks to those who defended our country and passed away after their service was completed. Those with memories they could never erase.
I grew up in England during WWII. Too young to understand the depth of the word sacrifice. Old enough to recognize grief. Wise enough to reject the horror of war.
Please do not wish me a Happy Memorial Day. This is a day of reflection, remembrance, gratitude, and honor. One day to remember. One minute of silence. Such a small tribute for the sacrifices of those we honor.
On Memorial Day (then called Decoration Day), family grace before our midday meal included reading 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, 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
LEST WE FORGET.
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