Follow Friday (16)

Welcome to Follow Friday Hosted By Parajunkee.com andAlisoncanread.com

Question: In light of 11.11.11 and Veteran's Day tell us about your favorite solider and how he or she is saving the world. Fictional or real life.

Answer:  I know one young man who is serving in the Navy as we speak.  He hasn't been deployed, but to me just volunteering to join any branch of the military is enough.  He is a great guy, and as I grew up with him, I can say that I'm proud of him.  
I think that all of those who have joined the military and are serving their country are saving the world just by being willing to go and do what needs to be done.  So Neal, I am honoring you (even if you aren't a veteran yet :)).

This is his girlfriend with him... Aren't they cute!

And in case you don't know about the red poppies and Veteran's Day, here is the story:

According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, the practice of wearing poppies takes its origin from the poem, "In Flanders Fields 1915" written by Lieut. Col. John McCrae. He was a member of the first Canada contingent and died in France in 1918 after four years of service on the western front. Many American soldiers died and were buried in fields covered with red poppy flowers.  Red is symbolic of the blood shed and the poppy flower fields.  The poppy was adopted as the official memorial flower of the veterans of foreign wars of the U.S. 

"In Flanders Fields 1915"

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.

Happy Reading!


Cana