Contributed by Curt Kingsbury

 

          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.

 

 

 

 


 

 

 


     

            The name of John McCrae (1872-1918) may seem out of place in the distinguished company

             of World War I poets, but he is remembered for what is probably the single best-known and

                 popular poem from the war, "In Flanders Fields." He was a Canadian physician and

              fought on the Western Front in 1914, but was then transferred to the medical corps and

               assigned to a hospital in France. He died of pneumonia while on active duty in 1918.

                His volume of poetry, In Flanders Fields and Other Poems, was published in 1919.

 

 

 

 

                   AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

 

          FLANDERS FIELD AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

 

                     The World War I Flanders Field American Cemetery and

                  Memorial lies on the southeast edge of the town of Waregem,

                Belgium, along the Lille-Gent AutoRoute E-17.  It is located 175

                miles north of Paris, France and 46 miles west of Brussels.   The

               cemetery is within 30 miles of Brugge (Brugges) and Gent (Gand),

                 the two largest cities in Flanders.  Waregem may be reached by

                 train from Brussels via Gent (Gand) in approximately one hour;

               from Paris, Gare du Nord, in about five hours via Rysel (Lille) and

                 Kortrijk (Courtrai), and five and one-half hours via Brussels and

                  Gent.  Taxi service is available from the station in Waregem.


 

 

 


 The cemetery occupies a six acre site.   Masses of graceful trees and shrubbery frame the burial area and screen it from the passing traffic.  At the ends of the paths leading to three of the corners of the cemetery are circular retreats with benches and urns.  At this peaceful location rest 368 American military Dead most of whom gave their lives in liberating Belgium in World War I.   Their headstones are aligned in four symmetrical areas around the white stone chapel which stands in the center of the cemetery.

 

   The altar inside the chapel is of black and white Grand Antique marble having draped flags on each side; above it is a crusader's sword outlined in gold.   The chapel furniture is of carved oak, stained black and white veining to harmonize with the altar.   On the side walls are inscribed the names of 43 of the Missing in Action who gave their lives in the service of their Country, but whose remains were never recovered or identified.

 

      In the summer the cemetery is open to visitors daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and in the winter from 9:00 am to5:00 pm.

 

 

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