Affirmation for May 25, 2009: Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day, Everyone! While looking for a good quote for today I learned a bit about the history of Memorial Day which was started to commemorate the soldiers who had died in the Civil War (you probably know this already), and was originally know as Decoration Day (you probably know this already too) because people would decorate the soldiers' graves.   So for today's affirmation I want to use this poem written by a Canadian surgeon during World War I. It honors the soldiers who have given their lives in our country's defense and gives some clue as to why red poppies have come to symbolize this day and veteran's issues in general.       In Flanders 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.   Have a great day!  Doug       Remember, you can also receive DailyStrength updates by joining our Twitter and Facebook pages.