Burlington High School
Burlington, Iowa
In Flanders Fields
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 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.
We salute you, dear friends. Because of your sacrifice we enjoy the freedoms and promise America extends to all. We pledge enduring gratitude and honor to your self-sacrifice. The heroes of every war are not the generals or politicians. They are the extraordinary men and women, the soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors, willing to risk their lives for the cause of freedom for all. The lives of our fallen American heroes who heeded the call of duty reflect the highest qualities God has put in man. Their lives teach us courage, endurance, patriotism, loyalty, true nobility and self-sacrifice. The Bible tells us that a man can possess no greater love than the willingness to lay down his life for his friends. We pay humble and grateful tribute to you for making the supreme sacrifice, obeying the call of your country, laying down your life. We bow our heads in reverence and respect of our fallen heroes.
The young men and boys we honor, will never again join their family around the Thanksgiving table. They will never open another Christmas present. Some never had a chance to pursue a career. Some never had a chance to get married, never got to know the joys of raising children. Those that were married and had children, will never get to know the joys of raising that child, teach them how to drive, attend their graduation or wedding. If he hadn't been lost to the war, he would probably be living here in the Quad Cities today enjoying the company of his family, friends, and children. Instead, long before his time, he fills a hero's grave. He, indeed, made the supreme sacrifice.
To the families, we extend our heartfelt gratitude, acknowledging we cannot measure the value of the freedoms secured by their supreme sacrifice. Their losses, however, will not be in vain, as our nation will emerge victorious in these wars and the world will be a better and safer place.
These young men and boys are looking down from Heaven, they are proud of us for honoring their memory with a commitment to the noblest of ideals. A commitment to uphold the highest virtues of humankind -- freedom, justice, and equality. A commitment to strengthening our national adherence to values nourished by their blood.
Let us remember them in our prayers -- today and every day. Comfort the loved ones they left behind. And, fly the United States Flag in their honor -- at home ... at work ... and throughout our neighborhoods!
Remember, they made the supreme sacrifice so that you and I could be 'free' today. We owe them....
Burlington High School Graduates
Former Students
Chester R. Gibbs: attended Burlington High School from September 1939 to February 1941.
Chester E. Hills: withdrew from school on 3 September 1946.
Eugene O. Lee: withdrew from school on 2 September 1941.
Howard Edward Morris: withdrew from school on 10 March 1937.
Laverne J. Poleger: withdrew from school on 14 February 1941.
John William Salome: withdrew from school on 24 January 1936.
Monty E. Snyder: attended Burlington High School from September 1940 to September 1941.
From the movie “We Were Soldiers”
To fallen soldiers let us sing
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord.
No more bleeding, no more fight
No prayers pleading through the night
Just divine embrace, eternal light
In the Mansions of the Lord.
Where no mothers cry and no children weep
We will stand and guard though the angels sleep
Through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord.
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