Posted on by Jacquie Biggar

Lest We Forget- #RemembranceDay #Canada


Photo by Nathan J Hilton on Pexels.com

In Flanders Fields

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.

John McCrae – 1872-1918

Flanders Fields

From 1914 to 1918, Flanders Fields was a major battle theatre on the Western Front during the First World War. A million soldiers from more than 50 different countries were wounded, missing or killed in action here. Entire cities and villages were destroyed, their population scattered across Europe and beyond. The destruction of the city of Ypres and the brutal conditions endured during the Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres) became worldwide symbols for the senselessness of war. Today, the peaceful region still bears witness to this history through its monuments, museums, cemeteries and the countless individual stories that link it with the world.

Learn More

Muggins, Canadian Red Cross Fundraising Dog

Muggins was a lovable, and incredibly famous, Canadian Red Cross mascot from a bygone era. 

Standing roughly 12 inches tall, Muggins was a loveable Spitz dog with fuzzy white hair, who would wander downtown Victoria, B.C. at the corner of Belleville and Government during the Great War with two change donation boxes tied to his back.

Postcard of Muggins the Red Cross dog with members of the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve (RNCVR), 1918. Photo: SAANICH ARCHIVES

“In total, Muggins’ efforts during the Two Great Wars earned him eight unique medals from around the world.”

https://www.redcross.ca/history/artifacts/muggins-canadian-red-cross-fundraising-dog

33 Replies to “Lest We Forget- #RemembranceDay #Canada”

    1. We drove past the cenotaph on our way to Mom’s wound care treatment. There were men and women in crisp navel uniforms, and four soldiers guarding the monument- beautiful and sad, too.

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  5. Hi Jacquie,

    So many brave and unfortunate men, rightly remembered all over the world for giving their all. Thank you!

    I upgraded the memoir of one valiant, British man: Frederick Knight, working as a farmer in Canada – who served in World War 1 – “From the Prairie to Passchendaele.” Although he survived, he lost his right arm, had Parkinson’s disease, which made his left arm useless, so bought a head device and typed his story with his head!! Some man…

    Liked by 1 person

  13. We celebrated as well Jacquie. When I visited Normandy’s beaches, I know it was about the WWII but I couldn’t help be grateful for all these young men who gave their lives for our freedom during both wars.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Such beauty in words that remember the travesty of such times, we must never forget the fallen. Thank you. Muggins was an incredible dog thanks for telling his story, and Leonard Cohen captures my heart with his version everytime. .

    Liked by 1 person

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