Copyrite `01 Nov.
This article appeared in `Letters to the Editor' in the `01 Nov. 8 issue of the Vancouver Sun
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WEAR A POPPY TO HONOUR FREEDOM AND VALOUR
Lee A. wood
Vancouver Sun
Thursday, November 08, 2001
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Yesterday, I asked my stepson, "Where is your poppy?"
He replied, "I'm not Canadian. Why should I wear a poppy?"
Many Americans believe that the Second World War began with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In actuality, the war started in the early 1930s when Japan invaded northern China. By the time Hitler's armies began to move out of Germany, thousands of Canadian soldiers were being worked to death in Japanese prison camps.
In 1915, in the battlefields of France, a Canadian soldier, part of the world's largest volunteer army, penned a poem, "In Flanders Fields," which has made the bright red poppy a common symbol of hope.
After nearly a year of planning, the Canadians took Vimy Ridge in one day, tolling the end to the Great War.
In Korea, Canadian soldiers, were exemplary in their actions and achievements.
Throughout the world every country owes allegiance to the soldiers and the factory workers of Canada.
Throughout the world, every person who enjoys freedom should wear a poppy on Nov. 11 and the rest of the year carry the poppy in their minds. If Canadians hadn't sacrificed their time, and lives, during the past century of bloodshed, few people today would have the freedom to ask, "Why should I wear a poppy?"
Lee A. Wood
Vancouver
END
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IN FLANDER'S 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.
END
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by
Terry Kelly
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