• 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.

November 11 is veterans day. The day we honor are military veterans. Please take time to remember them.

On October 24th and 25th I participated in a fundraising program with my Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Known as Buddy Poppy. The Buddy Poppy is a little silk flower made by disabled and Needy Veterans . The Fundraiser benefits VFW veterans assitant programs. I stood outside one of our local Walmarts on a very windy day with my collection can in one hand and a bouquet of Buddy Poppys to give out in the other hand,since we couldn't set up our display due to the wind. The next day was a nicer sunny day and the display was set up. I don't know what we raised yet. I know day 1 was 104.00 I think we did better on day 2, but don't have the total yet. As one person said to me, Whats the price of Buddy Poppy's this year?, I said whatever you want to donate and he said to me there is no price for what these veterans sacrificed.

Thursday I came home from work and Col. had the tv on CNN. He said to me,Have you heard about this?pointing to the tv. It was showing the massacre at FT. Hood. He said thats where Brandons stationed at. His nephew is stationed at FT. Hood, Texas. Col. said I called him earlier in the day, and he just called him back 5 minutes ago, right before I arrived home to let him no he was ok. I didn't know anything about this since I was at work all day. Brandon is our current active military person, since being in the army he has spent 1yr. in Afganistan,a few months in Hawaii,1 yr.in Iraq, and is now at FT. Hood Texas. Other family members with past Military experience are my Dad-US Army, My Uncle Jerry US Marines, My Brother Carl US Navy.

The Poem I started this blog with was written by an Military Dr. during WWI.

Remember all our veterans on Nov. 11.

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• My favorite brother of a veteran. Clay Aiken

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Have a great week! and remember to carry a little change for local charities over the holidays. reneti

This blog also posted at myspace.com/reneti