In Flanders Fields / У поля́х Фла́ндрії: We remember / Ми пам’ятаємо

Oleksandr (Sasha) Kondrashov

Audio version of the post: https://photos.app.goo.gl/mgdTFXr1bQDnF8ZaA

On November 11, we remember those who allow us to live on this planet through their death for peace on Earth. We share stories and hope history will not keep repeating itself.

One way to remember is to reflect. To start your reflection, I read the poem In Flanders Fields. Thanks to Oksana Samara, I can read the poem in my Mother tongue, Ukrainian language:

В полях фламандських квітне мак
Поміж хрестів — скорботний знак
По нас; а жайвір серед хмар
Нам шле свій спів — останній дар,
Ледь чутний тут крізь грім атак.
Бо ми, полеглі в цих полях,
Ми, що кохали, нині — прах,
Жили — і приняли удар
В полях фламандських.
Ідіть у бій, забувши страх,
Нам світоч випав з рук, відтак —
Вам підіймати цей тягар!
Якщо загасне віри жар —
Наш сон розвієтся, як мак,
В полях фламандських..

Here is the English version by John McCrae

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.

After reading the poem, I silently reflect and remember stories from people who shared about the war and peace.  Here is the story I published in 2020: https://krasun.ca/2020/11/11/11-11-at-1111-is-a-time-to-remember-and-reflect-on-the-meaning-of-the-day/

How you remember on November 11, keep sharing your stories.