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.
by John McCrae, December 8th, 1915
*****
.
These photos were taken by my great grandfather.
WWI
.
.
.
.
My grandfather and great uncle hamming it up.
.
.
.Grandfather WWII, the little girl is my mother.
.
.
My uncles and my mother.
.
.My husband.
.
..
My deepest thanks to all.
.
.
—————————-
©Virginia Spencer, thepurpledogpaintingblog, 2013
the purple dog painting blog 
You might like this poem about families and absence, “While He’s Away: A Poem About Being Gone.” http://wp.me/p3BzWN-lB
That’s a beautifully sad poem!
Please share if you know anyone else who can relate.
Thank you to all who have fought for us and continue to, and Thank you Virginia for sharing your photo’s!
Great photos of Grandpa, Uncle Bob, Ron and Allan and of course the handsome fella at the end, Michael. Lest we forget.
What a beautiful and sad poem, Jason. I think we (homes of non military) tend to forget that life goes on for us and doesn’t stand still for military families. Thank you.
The poem was written by a Canadian. You have some highly treasured family photos!