better late than never

As I am sure you know last week was Veterans Day, I didn't take the time to acknowledge it on my blog.  I regret not taking the time to recognize the sacrifice made by so many men and women for us to enjoy the freedom we quite often take for granted, so I am trying to make up for it this week.

It is common to see red poppies and hand made paper "buddy poppies" worn and displayed on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, the red poppy is known as the "flower of remembrance" because of this touching poem written in 1915 by World War I Colonel 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.

God bless our our veterans for their bravery and sacrifice and help us to never forget the price of freedom.