In Flanders Fields (1915) by John McCrae

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 flow,
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.
Canadian poet John McCrae was a medical officer in World War I. A year into the war he published, on Dec. 9, 1915, the sole work by which he would be remembered. This poem commemorates the deaths of thousands of young men who died in Flanders during the grueling battles there. It created a great sensation. Legend has it that he was inspired by seeing the blood-red poppies blooming in the fields where many friends had died. In 1918, McCrae died at the age of 46. We reprint this in honor of Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11. Please feel free to submit a commentary if you desire.

The Central Record reporters are hard at work on election stories for this Thursday's (Nov. 8) edition of the paper - so please make sure you check us out. In the meantime, here are some preliminary results: In Medford, the two GOP newcomers - Mary Ann O'Brien and Robert Martin - handily won seats on the township council, defeating Democratic newcomers Stephanie-Kassel-Doherty and Richard Vogt. In Shamong, Dems Laura King and Steven Bond were defeated by GOP incumbents Jonathan Shevelew and Christopher Norman for township committee seats. In Southampton, John Hicks and Robert Moore, both Republican incumbents, were uncontested in their pursuit of two seats on the township committee. Likewise, in Tabernacle, Noble McNaughton and Joseph Yates, both Republican incumbents, were unchallenged for their two seats on the township committee.

Check us out later in the day for updates - and be sure to read the Nov. 8 edition of The Central Record.

Enjoy this beautiful day-after-election day!

Susan Miller
Managing Editor