Welcome to AJ's Notes

Each Memorial Day I stand by the graves of my loved ones, many who have served in the armed services, and listen to the poem In Flanders Field being read, and I weep. I grew up believing that I live in the greatest country in the world. I still believe that. Nowhere on earth can the voices of so many different opinions be heard without the threat of imprisonment.

Today, I honor through prayer the men and women who gave their lives defending the rights I enjoy. I also pray and give thanks to those who still stand guard against tyranny. God bless.


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.

John McCrae 1915

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