By Pepper Parr
June 6th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
In Flanders fields the poppies blow are the opening lines to the classic poem written by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae during the First World War.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward is in France for the celebration of the 75 landing of Canadian troops on the beaches of that country.
On the drive to the location of Juno Beach, where Canadian troops landed the people she was driving with saw a field of poppies – and had to stop to take a picture.
Most Canadians who see a field of poppies immediately think of the McCrae poem. The poppies are a common sight in parts of France.
Such an idyllic photograph on the way to the scene of a terrible battle with the loss of hundreds of lives.
Keeping up with what the Mayor is doing in France is not going to be easy; John Bkila, her media liaison at city hall advised the Gazette that:
“In contact with my colleague Victoria Al-Samadi and the Mayor in France, many things are changing from minute to minute with respect to the planning and itineraries for the 75th anniversary of D-Day events there – this is partly due to the involvement of many organizations and people, such as Veterans Affairs Canada and other local, Canadian and international dignitaries.
“As a result, we will wait to post the accurate itinerary upon the Mayor’s return, including names of individuals involved and photographs.
“The Mayor and the Mayor’s Office is looking forward to sharing the full details and purposes behind each of her activities upon her return.
“If anyone is interested in more immediate information, the Mayor’s several social media accounts are providing a great deal of live updates through photos and videos.”
A news cycle that begins at the start of a day is over by the time the sun sets. Meed Ward regularly talks up her 22 years as a journalist doesn’t seem to be able to make a daily deadline to the people that elected her. Disappointing.
It was a terrible time – pictures available to us today testify to just how gruesome it was.
Landing craft heading for the beaches of Normandy France where many faced withering fire from German guns.
Men racing toward the shore of the beaches of Normandy France. Many didn’t make it.
For some the battle to get off the beach was fought yard by yard – many didn’t make it.
“In Flanders field the poppies blow” is the first line of the poem.
75 years after D Day we are now dealing with Anti-Semitic Slogans on Public Buildings In Burlington. What ever happened to “Never Again”. History is not repeating itself, we are repeating history. This is a shameful time for all, no matter what religion you practice.
Thank you for these wonderful photos. My Father was in the Royal Navy and brought these landing craft in close to shore. He brought in the Canadian Troops known as The Winnipeg Rifles. I can’t imagine him and others being seventeen (17) years old and lying about their age to join the forces. These photos of the war always bring tears to my eyes.t