It is Veteran’s Day tomorrow, the 11th day of the 11th month, in the 11th hour. Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.'”. Veteran’s Day is dedicated to honor all those military personnel who are alive and living a retired life and is a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 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.

My dad was not alive during the times of WWI, but he did fight in WWII. He was fighting in North Africa at the age of 14, as a member of the Australian Army. Though he was not an original member of ANZAC, he was still an ANZAC. The ANZACs were the combined Australian and New Zealand armed forces, the corps that served with distinction in World War I during the ill-fated 1915 Gallipoli Campaign, an attempt to capture the Dardanelles from Turkey. In 1916 Australian and New Zealand infantry divisions were sent to France. My dad lost a lot of uncles in Gallipoli.

My daddy in 1939 in Prince William Island, Melbourne, Australia, right before being deployed to North Africa.

My poppy painting and tribute to those who fought, served and sacrificed.

Thank you to all who served and sacrificed. You are not forgotten. I am eternally grateful. God Bless you all, always and forever.