by Tanveer Naseer

In Flanders Field – A Tribute for Remembrance Day

Today in countries around the world, people are taking time to pay their respects to the men and women who fought and in many cases, sacrificed their lives in the hope of preserving the freedoms we cherish, as well as forging the peace so many in the world currently live without.  As every year, there are fewer and fewer veterans around to remind of us what it was like, of what they endured so long ago so we could live in peace, I wanted to create a small tribute to pay my respects to these brave men and women.

To that end, I want to share my reading of the poem Canadian physician John McRae wrote on the battlefield during World War I called “In Flanders Field”.  This was a poem we were taught in school to recite, often for the community’s veterans who would come to participate in our school’s Remembrance Day ceremonies.  I now want to share it with everyone here on my blog, so that we can remember what these soldiers went through all those years ago and sadly, are still enduring today.

https://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7549880&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1

Here’s hoping that one day people the world over might one day enjoy the sense of Peace we’re so fortunate to live with now, and that all the men and women who are fighting abroad will be brought home to safety soon.

9 thoughts on “In Flanders Field – A Tribute for Remembrance Day”

  2. Thank you Tele. It’s an ironic twist of fate that after Dr. John McRae wrote this poem, he tore it out from his journal and tossed it to the ground thinking it was pointless. It’s only because a solider nearby picked it up and kept it to share with others that we’re able to appreciate the poignancy of his words.

    As always, I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts. Thank you, Tele.

  4. Tanveer,

    This is a lovely tribute, thanks. I had never heard the poem, and find it most touching.

    I wish it were true that we have fewer veterans – I’m not sure this is the case in the U.S. with two major wars being fought, and too many very recent ones that came before those. And truly – those who came to the aid of the wounded and dying in the 9-11 terrorist attacks are veterans of sorts, even though they never joined the armed services. It is my hope that in the years ahead we (the global “we”) find ways to solve our differences in new and more peaceful ways.

  5. Thank you Susan, for your kind compliment.

    Given what these men and women went through on the behalf of others, I think it’s important that we show them that their efforts are still very much appreciated even if it’s been decades since they last took up the fight to protect and defend others.

    I’m glad to hear that others are moved by this as well.

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    Hi Mary Jo,

    I’m glad that I can share this poem with you, which is what inspired the use of the Poppy to show appreciation and remembrance for those who went to war.

    You’re right that Canada has been more fortunate that the United States in not having lost as many family and friends as a result of war. Like you I do hope we can start maturing as a species and learn how to resolve our differences through words instead of through warfare. Certainly, we can never expect for there to never be differences between us; but I think we should push for humanity to learn to resolve or at least respect those differences instead of using it as an excuse to bring harm to one another.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Mary Jo. It’s always a pleasure hearing from you.

  6. Hi Tanveer,

    You've added a whole new dimension with the use of video in your blog, I like it. Wonderful reading!

  7. Thanks Angelina; I appreciate that. I’m glad you enjoyed my reading of McRae’s poem.

    As for the inclusion of video on my site, it would seem to be a popular choice among my readers. Guess I’ll have to keep my eyes open for other opportunities to share more such works here. :)

    Thanks again, Angelina, for sharing your thoughts.

  8. I have no idea of how brave one had to be to endure those difficult times of war, a war that, like all others, is a lot easier to start than to stop once and for all. This holiday provides a good opportunity for us to remind ourselves of the past behind the present.

  9. You're right, Marty, that unfortunately humans have a lot easier time starting conflicts than they do at creating peace. Of course, the sad irony is that some of these wars were fought by our countrymen just so we and others in other countries might continue to live in that freedom and sense of peace so many around the world are still deprived of.

    That's why I think it's important that we never forget their sacrifices in the hopes that we never take for granted how fortunate many of are to live in a part of a world where people are able to live side by side in peace and respect.

    Thanks Marty for your comment.

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