Rick Howe wrote an article in the weekly news, Nov 7. You know the paper you get whether you want it or not. Anyway, he made a point of his knowledge of the First and Second WW. He also pointed out how few people know more than the first two lines of In Flanders Fields. Throughout his article he recited most of the poem, my question is why did he omit “scarce heard amid the guns below”. It’s part of the poem why leave it out? For a Remembrance Day Poem, the least you could do is remember. “Lest we forget”.
This article appears in Nov 6-12, 2008.
Very interesting
I can actually recite the poem from start to finish.It was ingrained in me circa grade 2
Everybody should be compelled to memorize ” In Flanders Field”. That’s the least we can do to remember the dead, who gave the ultimate price for our freedom. My great uncle is buried in Belgium.
Honestly, Flanders Fields is a wonderful contribution for remembrance, but I’d be a little more touched if we’d all get off our asses the other 355 days of the year and stop thinking that we can act like idiots whoa) don’t vote – lowest voter turnout in historyb) don’t pay any attention to news or politics – many people couldn’t even name the candidates in their riding or the leader of all five national political parties, nor did they understand why, politically, the Bloc Quebecois could never get the seats to be elected as a governing party of Canadac) Freak out at each other for things like not wearing red bits of plasticd) Learn a little more about the wars we went through, instead of thinking that the assassination of the Archduke and the Holocaust are the only topics you need to know a bit about in order to be able to bow your head and text on your phone during your Remembrance Day ceremony.
people memorialize in their own ways…reciting some poem while important to to others may mean squat to someone else. simply because someone does not remember in the way you do….does not mean they dont. people need to stop being so judgemental and demanding. im not currently sporting a poppy(i have before) nor do i know all the words to “In Flanders Field”. However, do not for one second think that that means i do not appreciate all that was sacrificed in the name of freedom for others.
John,It seems we do not agree yet again. You say, “simply because someone does not remember in the way you do….does not mean they dont. people need to stop being so judgemental and demanding.” I believe this is unfair to the OP. They, obviously, find this poem important to them. They don’t seem to be asking for Rick Howe to remember the way they do only that he made an error. If Rick Howe, is going to write an article including a well known poem that many hold close to their hearts, would it not make sense to write the poem in its entirety? I agree that people remember in their own way but if you are a journalist, you should probably do your homework and print the poem as it was written? Either that or don’t include it at all? I agree with JC.
eastcoastgal.i simply have trouble with people who feel that because they find something important that it is imperative that others have the same feeling of significance about the issue and shun those who dont. not a very tolerant way to be.now addressing the article by Mr Howe…im sure he did not forget the phrase and likely had a reason for not including it. thats my guess. i try to give people the benefit of the doubt. maybe more should try the same.
John,Clearly you should read the post again. JC is not saying everyone should find the poem important or that everyone should know the poem by heart. JC is not shunning everyone either. JC simply states that the Mr. Howe said in his article that most people only know the first two lines of the peom and then left a line out himself. This is not a rant against everyone who doesn’t know the peom, and JC is not saying in anyway that this poem should be significant to everyone. Give Mr. Howe benefit of the doubt? Why? This is a Bitch column, is it not? I think this is a great bitch. It has merit and is asking a very good question. Maybe Mr. Howe will see this bitch and give us an answer.