Lest We Forget

I find it fascinating what the brain can remember. I mean I can vividly remember things that happened years and years ago. The amount of information that we obtain is huge... and yet more often then not I forget birthdays, anniversarys and other special events. Odd.
The reason why I find this particularily interesting is because every Novemeber 11 I find myself reciting In Flanders Field. I haven't had to look at this poem in years and yet I know every word from elementry school when we had to memorize it.
I am not sure if I have really always known the imporance of war but I have found my self more connected to it within the last few years.
My friend Bradley has been training for the last few years within the marines...he continues to scare the crap out of me with threats of going over seas. That combined with reading more literature about things I have a new heightened sense of needing to be more aware.
I can only imagine what it must be like for the people who have been involved in war... I can't nor do I want to even try to imagine the amount of people that wars have effected over the course of history... whether it be soilders, marines etc... their families, friends and other loved ones... I hope that freedom and peace is something that I never take advantage of...

In Flanders Fields by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD

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
scare heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
lovd and were loved,and now we lie
in Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
to you with 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.