Lest We Forget

[bc1871]

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

[DanS]

...

[SlowwHand]

Thanks very much. I posted something from You Tube in the music thread. I'll be damned if I'm going to be the one that always starts a veteran related thread on an appropriate occasion.

[connorkimbro]

Anthem for Doomed Youth
-Wilfred Owen, 1920

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifle's rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries for them from prayers or bells.
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,-
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of silent minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

[Cort Haus]

Hmmm. Wilfrid Owen was all for the slaughter earlier on, ISTR.

[onodera]

WTF is the Soviet flag doing on that picture?

[duke o' york]

Good question.

Where is the German flag? I find it hard to believe they made it through the entire war without losing any unfortunate young men.

[Dauphin]

WTF is the Soviet flag doing on that picture?

You forgot Poland (and Czechoslovakia).

[onodera]

You forgot Poland (and Czechoslovakia).

I think it's a WWII-era picture. That's why there's no Italy, Germany or Croatia.

[Dauphin]

That was obvious.

[BeBMan]

Germany had nothing to do with WWs, so it's correct. Otoh I'm wondering why there's no Austrian flag....

[onodera]

Germany had nothing to do with WWs, so it's correct. Otoh I'm wondering why there's no Austrian flag....

No Axis members' flags there.

[Al B. Sure!]

No. We all know Germany was innocent in both World Wars. It was all evil Austria. First, the Austro-Hungarian Empire which started the First World War and then the second time around, some Austrian dude named Hitler took over Germany, combined Germany and Austria into one nation, and did his thing. Right, Bebro? It was the evil Austrians

[DaShi]

Poland attacked Germany first! The Nazi's were only defending themselves.

[Al B. Sure!]

The Gleiwitz Incident.