In celebration of our veterans on Veterans' Day in Canada, US and elsewhere, I am dedicating this article to our brave, selfless veterans who gave their lives for world peace. May they rest in peace.
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae
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.
"In Flanders Fields" is a war poem written during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. He was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915, after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. "In Flanders Fields" was first published on December 8 of that year in the London magazine, Punch.
It is one of the most quoted poems from the war. As a result of its immediate popularity, parts of the poem were used in efforts and appeals to recruit soldiers and raise money selling war bonds. Its references to the red poppies that grew over the graves of fallen soldiers resulted in the remembrance poppy becoming one of the world's most recognized memorial symbols for soldiers who have died in conflict. The poem and poppy are prominent Remembrance Day and Veterans Day symbols for soldiers who have died in combat.
Veterans' Day is an official United States, United Kingdom, and Canadian public holiday, observed annually on November 11, that honors military veterans who served in their countries' Armed Forces.
Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.
God bless our veterans for their services and sacrifices they and their families make year-round. How do you plan to honor our veterans?
Ways to Honor Veterans
- Organize a care-package party. But first learn what deployed troops want in their care packages.- Visit a veterans' hospital. If you do not have a local nursing home facility visit an injured vets to help brighten their day.
- Teach children about services veterans contributed to the country and encourage them to create a small a meme for a veteran.
- Encourage your child's teacher to develop a Veteran's Day lesson plan or project. Invite a local veteran to speak to your class about some of his or her experiences,
- Wear a red poppy to show support for veterans and active duty service member. The poppies are hand made by veterans as part of their therapeutic rehabilitation.
- Acknowledge veterans in your workplace. Consider a special coffee break, themed snack or poppy cookies.
- Support veteran-owned businesses. Your local chamber of commerce may be able to help you identify these.
- Express thanks. When you see someone in uniform, extend a simple word of gratitude or small kindness to show how much their service means to you.
- Send a card. Compile a list of names and addresses of veterans you know and send them a thank you card.
Military Careers
Today's military offers a breadth of opportunities where those with STEM skill sets can lead, thrive and succeed now -- and in the future. STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math occupations. Of course, there are several other occupational fields in the military including Arts, Communications, Media and Design; and Counseling, Social Work and Human Services. Explore the varied military occupations:https://www.todaysmilitary.com/working/career-fields-and-profiles.
Realize you can join the military to get training work for a specified time, then retire and use these skills in business, community or other settings.
Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life by Carole Kanchier offers guidelines to help you evaluate occupations' suitability for you. https://www.amazon.com/Questers-Dare-Change-Your-Life/dp/1508408963
Author Bio
Carole Kanchier, PhD, is an internationally recognized newspaper/digital columnist, registered psychologist and author of the award-winning, Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life and the forthcoming Arouse the Force Within You! Dr. Kanchier has taught at University of California, Berkeley and Santa Cruz and University of Alberta, and served as visiting fellow at Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, and other institutions of higher learning. Dr. Kanchier is known for her pioneering, interdisciplinary approach to human potential.