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Editorial
This Monday, May 27, is Memorial Day. It’s a day we set aside to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on the field of battle in defense of our country. Locally there will be a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Courthouse Square in downtown Lexington, beginning at 10 a.m.
We also encourage you to take the time to read the names of some of our area residents who have served our country in the newspaper’s annual tribute to our citizen-soldiers found on page B14.
The numbers of Americans who have fallen in military conflicts down through the years include an estimated 655,000 in the Civil War; 405,399 in World War II; 116,516 in World War I, 58,209 in Vietnam and 36,574 in Korea. More recently, 4,576 died in Iraq and 2,432 died in Afghanistan. On Sept. 11, 2001, 2,977 Americans died at the hands of terrorists, which was essentially an act of war, though the victims were noncombatants.
As we approach this somber holiday, we thought it would be appropriate to recall the words of the poem, “In Flanders Field,” written during World War I by Canadian physician Lt. Col. John McCrae. It is the inspiration for the tradition of giving poppies on Memorial Day.
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
