Take a moment today, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, to think about and honor those who sacrificed, and who are willing to sacrifice their lives for our freedoms, for our nations.

The most moving words that have written about those who fought and died in war, and who continue to do so is arguably the poem 'In Flanders Fields'. It was written, reports Wikipedia by a Canadian military physician, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae on May 3, 1915 during the infamous 'War to End All Wars' i.e. the First World War, after he had watched his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, only 22 years old, die in battle the day before in Belgium.

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.-Col. John McCrae

The poem is all the more moving in that the same grounds would see some battle 25 years later, underlining the often senselessness of war. It underscores one of the most brilliant, sensitive, and respectful remarks I've heard, read, and witnessed on the issue of sending men and women into battle whose ultimate sacrifice which we remember today.

For when former Canadian federal Liberal party leader Stephane Dion was asked whether he supported the Canadian troops fighting in Afghanistan he replied: "the best way to support the troops is to make sure you have properly thought out why you are sending them, to risk their lives for their country."

Sound words indeed to consider...and remember.