A Remembrance Day Note

I saw this go by yesterday, and I, personally, think it's a good idea. I'm old enough to remember when there were enough WWI veterans left to make up a considerable part of the Remembrance Day parades even just in Edmonton, and it's sad to think that there are only three of them left in the entire country.

Petition calling for state funeral for WWI veteran gaining steam
Last Updated: Friday, November 10, 2006 | 12:49 PM ET
CBC News

An online petition calling for a state funeral for the last veteran of the First World War passed the 43,000-signature mark Friday and is rising by the hour, organizers said.

The actual petition is here. In the meantime:

Ortona, 23-Dec-1943
Passchendaele, 14-Nov-1917


In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

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.


Vimy Ridge, Apr-1917
Korea, 1951