For Veteran's Day

Let us honor the fallen and the fighting on this day. Here is the ghost of last century's struggle:



In Flanders Fields



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.




And here, a moving piece from today's bloody headlines:Elegy for a Young Officer




Finally, Catholics remember today as the Feast of St. Martin of Tours, the Patron Saint of Soldiers (How's that for a happy coincidence? I wonder if Ludendorff and Haig planned it that way). Martin was an officer in Constantine's imperial bodyguard until his conversion and monastic career. The following prayer is attributed to him:

Lord, if your people still have need of my services, I will not avoid the toil. Your will be done. I have fought the good fight long enough. Yet if you bid me continue to hold the battle line in defense of your camp, I will never beg to be excused from failing strength. I will do the work you entrust to me. While you command, I will fight beneath your banner.

May blessings come to our soldiers this day, and victory hereafter.