Lest we forget

It is not about glorifying war or exalting the military. It was originally intended to mark Armistice and acknowledge the terrible losses felt by all during the Great War.  Today, we remind ourselves that numbers and casualties are actually human beings and we remember them all.  It is a solemn moment at a solemn hour that marks  tragic losses over the years. I've highlighted the most relevant line of John McCrae's poem as that, to me, is what we lest not forget.

 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.

Head cold

My brain is muffled so lots of interesting things don't make their way out.  I'm not apathetic, merely incoherent.

That's nothing to complain about these days. Lots of people are sharing their gratitude every day this month. I assume it was prompted by American Thanksgiving. While I agree we should pay more attention to the things for which we are grateful, I don't think it should be confined to one month a year. It's pretty sad if we have to make it an assignment.

It's been gratifying to see the way people have banded together in the wake of Sandy's path. Those that have power are sharing with those that don't.  Few people are complaining as so so many are in the same situation. 

I wonder what skills in which we'll see a resurgence.