In Flanders Fields was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918). The poem was inspired by the following story. During the Second Battle of Ypres a Canadian officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed on May 2nd, 1915 in the gun positions near Ypres. A German artillery shell landed near him. He was serving in the same Canadian artillery unit as McCrae, a friend of his.
As the brigade doctor, John McCrae was asked to conduct the burial service for Alexis because the chaplain was not available that day. Later that night, after the funeral, John McCrae began the draft for his now famous poem In Flanders Fields.
Each November 11th should be one year long.
We owe our freedom to our Veterans.
This is our way of saying Thank you!
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.