My Comment: This was sent to me by the Author, a dear friend and Brother in Christ. It touched my heart and I wanted to share it with Veterans everywhere.

This beautiful poem was included with a commemorative essay I wrote this for the 4th of July and D-Day. For this 90th anniversary of 11 November, 1919, I have attempted to emulate Dr. McCrae’s In Flanders Fields. I hope you will send these two poems to our veterans and those who are yet to be—our heroes and God’s peace keepers everywhere.

In Flanders Fields

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, Lt. Col, flight surgeon, 1918

A Way Home

“Old soldiers never die.

“They just fade away.”

“I shall return,” he once vowed.

More humble than proud, from far away,

Those words were duly honored.

Of another war, he again went away.

It was not his choice to leave his men.

Although he retreated from the war they nearly won,

A coward he will never be named as one,

Nor will the men who followed along his way.

Another general came and went away.

Before he did, he placed God in our pledge.

Now, angry men try to delete Him from our hearts,

But He cannot die in US, nor will He fade away.

In His time, He will recall our heroes Home.

By the grace of God, I pray we will be away with them.

–A.W. Loescher, Capt., USAF flight surgeon, 1967-’69.

Categories: History, Human interest

Tags: Flanders fields, news, veterans of all wars