Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day, and I tip my hat to all the men and women serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. My grandfather fought in WWI, and that was no picnic either. He was one of the lucky ones - he came back (physically) unscathed. I can't think of a better tribute than "In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) (Canadian Army):

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.

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