Friday 23 April 2010 - Poppy Day

                      

 This cross was placed at the Remembrance Day Service in England last year for Phil's Grandfather who served in both World War I and World War II.

                          "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" written by John McCrae, May 1915

Here in New Zealand this verse is on our minds when Poppy Day arrives. Our RSA (Returned Services Association) sells these fabric poppies the Friday before ANZAC Day on 25 April.  ANZAC Day is our day as a nation to remember those who died in battles so that we can live the life that we enjoy today. I will blog on Sunday about our local Waiuku, Anzac Day Service and what it means to our family.