“In Flanders Fields”, the evocative poem written by Canadian soldier Lt.-Col. John McRae has been memorized by generations of Canadian children. It can be heard recited often around the Remembrance Day ceremonies of November 11th.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the poem, and a new community in Edmonton has honoured the poem and its author in a park. The Village at Griesbach is the name of the community. Once a military base, it is now home to many families who enjoy the nearby park.
Neil Chymko is on the board of directors for the Castle Downs Recreation Society which led the move to honour the poem in this way.
“He sat down and penned this poem in the middle of incredible fighting, endless fighting; the shelling never stopped during that battle,” Neil Chymko told CBC Edmonton during an interview before the commemoration of the park on November 1st.
John McRae wrote the verses in Belgium during heavy artillery fire in World War One.
Now the park near Edmonton has beds of poppies and walkways reminiscent of the trenches in the Great War. There is a bronze plaque replicating McRae’s handwritten verses, and storyboards explaining the link to Remembrance Day.
The unveiling took place almost two weeks ago, but the park is certain to be the scene of some sombre moments tomorrow, as Canada commemorates the sacrifice of so many.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.