(MURFREESBORO)  Some traditions are worthy of preserving, National Poppy Day is one of them! Officially, that is this coming Friday (5/27/2022)--and continues through Monday, Memorial Day. 

Navy Veteran and member of the American Legion John Calfee explained . . .

As the Memorial Day weekend nears, baby boomers and older Americans remember the poem "In Flanders Field". In fact, it was memorized by most North American children who grew-up in the 40s, 50s and 60s. 

It was written during World War I by Lt.-Col. John McCrae, a military physician from Canada. It shows how fragile life actually is, especially in times of war. This takes on new meaning these days with the fighting in Ukraine. 

               In Flanders Field

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.