A Letter to Canadian Veterans ©Susan Dykhuis — November 11, 2004 © Susan Dykhuis — June 22, 200

From the poem

In Flanders Fields

 by John McCrae, 3^rd May 1915

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…

 

the children of the women and men

Who faught for Freedom in World War II

my generation learned this poem in school.

 

I heard it recited today

At Remembrance Day Services held in Ottawa

Causing me to cry as this poem always does.

 

Our Veterans marched again today �"

Most 80 years old or more

marching, honouring and remembering

the ones who did not come home.

Joined by younger Veterans of a later war

and even younger Canadian Forces members

who serve not only in war

but as peacekeepers, marching with you.

 

I think of my beloved late father

Hendrik Ellard Dykhuis �" Veteran of World War II

and recall the fathers and mothers of so many friends,

all Veterans of that war:

 

A frightening thought invaded my mind �"

Perhaps one day

Canadians will not remember the sacrifice of our Veterans

The ones most deserving of honour and respect from future generations;

and that thought haunts me!

 

We who are

 the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren:

We must never forget

And be ever thankful to those

Who won the battle for Freedom.

 

Freedom, your legacy to us,

for us to honour

by living for Freedom

thus thanking Canadians who died for Freedom.

 

I promise:

  To never forget the sacrifice

  To always remember the courage of our Veterans

I have taught my son to remember �"

and he too shall teach his children.

 

A Letter to Canadian Veterans

© Susan Dykhuis �" 11November 2004

 

 

Canada Forces in Afghanistan

Please come home safely to your loved ones.

 

In memory of Sergeant Christos Karigiannis,

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

Canadian Hero, we will not forget you.

b. September 20, 1976 �" d. June 20, 2007

 

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

~ Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

 

 

A Letter to Canadian Veterans  © Susan Dykhuis �" November 11, 2004   

© Susan Dykhuis �" June 22, 2009 Revision 01   

Reviews

[sharonlee]

I found this hauntingly sad...elegantly penned...

I'm new here, I hope you don't mind me popping in...

[Shelly Wiseberg]

Lovely poem! Shelly