Monday, May 25, 2009

lived, loved and were loved

My friend from high school, Lt. Colonel Brian Serota, flew this flag for our family during one of his recent missions in Iraq. I am thankful for the sacrifices he & his soldiers are making on behalf of our nation - the time away from ordinary hours with their families spent instead avoiding unimaginable peril. We hope to honor them and all of the troops by flying this flag and praying for their safety every day.

For those who have served, for those who have lost family & friends ~ the sons & daughters, fathers & mothers, husbands, wives, lovers ~ let us not break faith with the ones who have died, so they may sleep in peace.

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies grow
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.