Debbie Conley, left, and Jane Broshear help prepare crosses to decorate veteran’s graves on Memorial Day. The poppies recall a famous poem by John McCrae, “In Flanders Field.” Staff photo by Danedri Thompson
Sheri Barber, vice president of the American Legion Auxiliary, counts and prepares crosses. American Legion groups including the Legion, Auxiliary, Riders and Sons of the American Legion will decorate veteran graves this weekend. Staff photo by Danedri Thompson
Boxes of American flags and crosses sit in boxes at the American Legion in Gardner. They will be placed on the graves of more than 470 veterans buried in two Gardner area cemeteries. Staff photo by Danedri Thompson
Members of the American Legion Post 19 Riders help count and prepare flags to decorate graves over Memorial Day weekend. Staff photo by Danedri Thompson
Teddy Richardson, auxiliary member, counts American flags and ensures they are in good enough condition to decorate veterans graves on May 28, Memorial Day. Staff photo by Danedri Thompson
American Legion Auxiliary president Susan Jennings discusses logistics of placing flags and crosses on veteran’s graves in Gardner on May 24. Legion groups will decorate more than 470 graves in the Gardner area for Memorial Day weekend. Staff photo by Danedri Thompson
In Flanders Fields
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.
Poem by John McCrae
