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.

— Lt. Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

“In Flanders Field” was written by a doctor in the Canadian Army in 1915 to mark the death of a 22-year-old comrade-in-arms.

Today, white crosses, and blood red poppies, still serve as a reminder of those who died in service to their country.

As we begin our three-day weekends, plan our barbecues, trips to the beach and visits with friends and family, let us all pause, if only for a moment, to remember those who did not come home.

As always here in veteran-rich Lee County, there are a number of ways to do so, this year including two major Memorial Day services that annually attract hundreds to mark Monday’s solemn holiday and one very special event of note:

In Cape Coral, the largest of the services will again be at Coral Ridge Funeral Home and Cemetery which will hold its 42nd annual Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. in the Veterans Honor Garden at 950 Chiquita Blvd. S.

The event is free and open to the public and also will be available to watch via live webcast.

Across the river, Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery in Fort Myers will host its annual Memorial Day service with a cookout immediately following.

The service honoring local and national heroes will take place the Field of Honor at 9:30 a.m. on May 29, at 1589 Colonial Blvd.

Both events will feature various speakers and activities appropriate for the one day America remembers its war dead.

Let us highlight one more event this year.

A special tribute to those that served on the USS Nimitz will be held here in Cape Coral on Monday.

The open-to-the-public event will take place at Brotherhood of Heroes Military Museum & Library and will honor those who died aboard the ship that suffered a flight deck fire that resulted in 14 deaths. Forty-nine sailors were injured.

The memorial will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with ship survivors and local dignitaries present. A ship bell will be rung for each of the 14 who perished.

More details on these Memorial Day activities and more may be found in today’s Breeze or on-line at capecoralbreeze.com.

We thank those who serve.

We thank the families of the fallen. Such sacrifices should not, will not, go unmarked.

–Breeze editorial