In Flanders Fields - Lest We Forget - Memorial Day, 2011.

Heroism is latent in every human soul - However humble or unknown, they (the veterans) have renounced what are accounted pleasures and cheerfully undertaken all the self-denials - privations, toils, dangers, sufferings, sicknesses, mutilations, life-long hurts and losses, death itself - for some great good, dimly seen but dearly held.

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

1828 – 1914

To Honor Those Who Lived A Cause

Flowers and flags in devoted array

A loving tribute this Memorial Day

This moment this day and so a pause

To honor those who lived a cause

With valor and sacrifice life they gave

And embraced the call yet to be brave

Answered they did to liberty's plea

That freedom be held for a you, a me

Memory of each life gone never to fade

Live we life's blessings for sacrifice made.

In loving gratitude to all who served and serve in faith ever new.

...lest we forget...

Rose Marie Raccioppi

Poet Laureate

Orangetown, New York

Flanders Field, Painting, Willy Werner.

A most special remembrance and tribute to:

Lt. Col. Michael L. Murphy, USMC who was killed on the night of Dec. 11, 2000
along with three other brave Marine Warriors
while test piloting the MV22 Osprey Helicopter.

His soaring spirit ever present.