Veterans Day Observed Today

What a wonderful sight this Veterans Day morning, a community coming together to honor the men and women who have served our country.  The Skidmore-Tynan ISD gym was packed with students, teachers, administrators, and the community.  All present to demonstrate our gratitude for our local Veterans.

Here in the United States, we have been observing Veterans Day since 1954.  Adorning scarlet poppies and decorations of red, white, and blue our hearts are heavy and filled with admiration.  The poem used as a popular tribute to the fallen comes to mind today...

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.

Courtesy of the Arlington National Cemetery Website