Flanders Field
This seems like an appropriate time for this post in memory of all our veterans.
Flanders Field is located in the
medieval County of Flanders, which spans southern Belgium and north-west
France.
We
were met on arrival by the American manager of the cemetery who told us, “The
agency that maintains 24 cemeteries is called the American Battles Monument Commission and is an independent agency
falling under the executive branch. General Pershing was the first executor of
the organization.”
While
in the warm building he continued, “The crosses are made of Italian white
marble. There are two Jewish Unknown Soldier markers in the cemetery. Nine days
after Lindberg’s solo flight, he flew over the cemetery and dropped a bouquet
of red poppies. The occupants of this cemetery were the first and last to act
under foreign command—Belgium. There are no women buried here.” The first
Memorial Day was in 1924.
Of
course during WW I no women served in the armed forces. A crew of four maintains the cemetery. All the stones are
washed first thing each week day with water and a soft brush. When a family
member visits, the stone is dampened and engravings filled with Normandy sand.
This gives a golden glow to the engravings and makes them stand out in
photographs.
Battlefield
The German military used poison gas
for the first time on the Western Front which saw the beginning of ‘trench
warfare’ that characterized this global war. The Battle of Passchendaele (third
battle) ended when British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand forces
recaptured the Passchendaele ridge, east of the city but at tremendous loss.
During three months of fighting
The headstones are aligned in four
symmetrical areas around the white stone chapel that stands in the center of
the cemetery. The altar inside the chapel is made of black and white Grand Antique marble with draped flags
on each side. A crusader's sword outlined in gold is above the altar. The chapel
furniture is carved oak, stained black with white veining to harmonize with the
altar. The side walls of the chapel are inscribed with the names of 43 missing
American servicemen who have no known graves. The small chapel has a gorgeous
ceiling.
Masses of graceful trees and
shrubbery frame the burial area and screen it from passing traffic. At the ends
of the paths leading to three corners of the cemetery are circular retreats,
with benches and urns.
During WW I, Canadian physician, Lt.
Colonel John McCrae, is believed to have written this famous poem in May 1915
after witnessing the death the day before of his 22-year-old friend, Lieutenant
Alexis Helmer. The poppies referred to
grew in profusion in Flanders in the disturbed earth of battlefields and cemeteries
and thus became a symbol of Memorial Day, November 11, when WW I ended on the
11th day of the 11th
month at 11 AM.
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
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
Needless
to say this was a somber but memorable visit. The American manager was kind,
helpful and answered all of our questions.
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