Forgive, but Never Forget

John McCrae was a Canadian who served first as a solider, then as a doctor.  He returned from fighting in the Boer War to gain his doctrate in medicine.  in 1918, he died in a field hosptial during World War I.  Most people, however, remember him as the author of one timeless poem.

In Flander's 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.