Flanders Fields

Originally posted by Bill Alexander
Today marks the anniversary of the Canadian baptism of fire in World War One. On April 22, the cloud of chlorine washed over the Allied troops in the Ypres salient. Canada's First Division stood to and held the line as the German's, surprised by the success of their own weapon attempted to exploit the weakened line. The Canadians suffered 5,975 casualties by some estimates. Ypres become a bloody chapter in Canada's military heritage, and marked a coming of age for our nation. In the bloody fields of Flanders, Canadian soldiers bought our freedom. We will remember them.

"In Flanders Field" written by Canadian Physician "JON MACRAE" ... see a copy of his handwritten poem in the link just below.

NOTE: I edited/deleted the two links I provided previously and replaced it with the new updated one here:
http://www.greatwar.nl/

BILL ... its funny-strange that you posted this because I just came across the poem in an unrelated search yesterday. I've always been familiar with it, but this time round in reading it, I'm SO much more aware of the "total meaningfulness" of it. Thanks for this post!

Carman the Yappy