Remembering Our Veterans

Next Wednesday, November 11 at 11 a.m. our country will take a moment to remember an event that took place in Rethondes, France, 102 years ago, the end of the Great War that was to end all wars, or so we were told.

The first Armistice Day was celebrated in 1919 and then later the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all men and women who served in our military.

Several local Veteran Day celebrations will take place including one at Turtle Cove. Veterans and the public are invited to attend. At precisely 11 a.m. at the flag pole in front of the club house, a welcome by Marie Wynn, then the Monticello American Legion Color Guard will begin the ceremony with a flag raising to be followed by Marie Mickler singing the “National Anthem,” Skip Davis will speak about all branches of the military, Janet Jernigan will recite the poem, “In Flanders Fields” and pass out poppy lapel pins, then Ms. Mickler will sing “God Bless America,” and closing out the ceremony recognizing veterans.

“In Flanders Fields” by Canadian physician, John McCrae, who wrote the poem after presiding over the funeral of a friend and fellow soldier during World War I.

“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.