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.
-- Lt Col John McCrae, MD, Canadian Army
But it may well not be an exaggeration, and that's the point of Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the United States. For without the service and sacrifices of so many who have come before and who currently serve in the armed forces, there is no way of knowing if the freedom to attend a hockey game -- something we never give a second thought to today -- might somehow have been compromised.
"We have so much to learn from those people," said Columbus Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock, who will coach in his 1,000th NHL game Wednesday against the Red Wings. "They make the ultimate sacrifice every day. We just talk about it. We have so much to learn from their discipline and their attention to detail. Because of what is at stake, if they don't pay attention to detail and they don't have discipline ...
"The connection for me to the military should be very emotional. They do our dirty work and they do it really, really well. They're like the big guard dogs, they take care of us so we can enjoy our lives. They're the ones taking care of us and keeping people away. I really admire that. I feel like the people that are responsible for our protection deserve as many accolades as they can get."
Last season, NHL.com wrote about a phrase prominently placed in the Montreal Canadiens' dressing room, a phrase that still inspires and awes at the same time.
The Poppy
In recent days, NHL coaches could be seen wearing the poppy on their suit jackets, an international symbol for those who died in war.
Prior to World War I, few poppies grew in Flanders. During the tremendous bombardments of that war the chalk soils became rich in lime from rubble, allowing the flower to thrive. When the war ended the lime quickly was absorbed, and the poppy began to disappear again.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, the Canadian doctor who wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields," made poignant use of the poppy in the poem, and the scarlet poppy quickly became the symbol for soldiers who died in battle.
Three years later an American, Moina Michael, was working in a New York City YMCA canteen when she started wearing a poppy in memory of the millions who died on the battlefield. During a 1920 visit to the United States, a French woman, Madame Guerin, learned of the custom. On her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies to raise money for destitute children in war-torn areas of the country. In November 1921, the first poppies were distributed in Canada.
Thanks to the millions of Canadians who wear flowers each November, the little red plant has never died. And neither have Canadians' memories for their countrymen who died in battle.
The poppy reminds us of the people who gave their lives for peace and freedom. The poppy reminds us of war and the great costs it brings society, and that peace is something we should strive for beyond all things.
Wednesday is Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the United States, a day set aside to recall and honor the sacrifices made by Canadian and American troops who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in past conflicts like World War I and World War II and who are together once again in Afghanistan today.
History shows there are many instances of NHL players putting down their sticks to pick up arms in defense of their countries.
Hall of Famer Johnny Bower, the popular Maple Leafs goalie, served for three years in World War II and was wounded twice. He returned and exchanged his rifle for a hockey stick and went on to 250-195-90 record, three Stanley Cups with the Leafs and two Vezina Trophies.
Joe Turner's story didn't end as happily. He got his chance in goal for the Detroit Red Wings against the Leafs on Feb. 5, 1942. He allowed three goals and came away with a tie in his first game. But later in 1942, he left the Wings to join the U.S. Marine Corps and was killed in action. A similar fate befell Red Garrett of the New York Rangers. He was serving in the Royal Canadian Navy on Nov. 25, 1944 when he was killed.
Those are just a few examples of bravery from NHL players.
Happily for hockey fans at the time, the Bruins' Frankie Brimsek returned after serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and was a standout goalie. Many NHL stars of the day served with the Canadian Armed Forces and continued to play on military teams that helped keep morale high among the troops.
Imagine seeing the Royal Canadian Air Force team of the day that featured the Bruins' famous "Kraut Line" of Woody Dumart, Bobby Bauer and Milt Schmidt. New York Rangers great Frank Boucher formed the Ottawa Commandos, an all-star army team that won the 1943 Allan Cup.
Conn Smythe, the legendary Maple Leafs owner, was a major with the Royal Canadian Artillery and was wounded in an air raid in 1944.
That is just the shortest of lists to acknowledge those who have served both countries through the years and who have made it possible for those of us living in North America today to enjoy freedoms unheard of in other places around the globe.
-- Phil Coffey
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If that doesn't get you ready to take the ice, few things will. But the origin of those words comes from a completely different context.
They are, of course, words from the World War I poem by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a doctor who served on the front lines. His lines were not intended to exhort future generations of hockey players to win games, but instead to soberly remember the carnage of war.
McCrae wrote "In Flanders Fields" on May 3, 1915 as a testament to the terrible destruction of the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium during "The Great War." Thousands of men gave what Abraham Lincoln called in the Gettysburg Address "the last full measure of devotion."
In NHL arenas in Washington D.C., Columbus, Buffalo, Newark, Raleigh and Chicago, teams will line up at their respective blue lines and fans will stand for moments of silence to remember the gallant. The sanctity already was seen on the ice starting last weekend as veterans held aloft the colors and saluted fallen friends as we remembered.
For the first time in franchise history, the Chicago Blackhawks will wear special camouflage jerseys during warm-ups Wednesday prior to their game with the Colorado Avalanche at the United Center as part of a Blackhawks/Boeing "Salute to the Military."
These one-of-a-kind jerseys, which are being worn in support of those that serve or have served in the military, will be autographed by the players and auctioned online at chicagoblackhawks.com between Nov. 11 and 18, with all proceeds benefitting the USO of Illinois. The Blackhawks and Boeing are also hosting 50 military members and their guests at the game.
"We are truly grateful to be partners with the Blackhawks and Boeing," USO of Illinois President and COO Anthony Enrietto Jr. said. "This relationship is the embodiment of the profound respect and gratitude that our country and these organizations feel for the men and women who wear the cloth of our nation. The outpouring of support from both sides has been amazing."
"It's an honor for our organization and players to take part in such a special cause," Blackhawks Senior Vice President of Business Operations Jay Blunk said. "This is something that has never been done in our franchise's 83 years. We all stand in appreciation for the sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed forces each and every day and are excited to help pay tribute in this way."
Wednesday in Washington, where the Capitals will face the Islanders, there will be several tributes to the armed forces.
Microsoft, the Capitals and the USO of Metropolitan Washington will host 50 wounded warriors and their families at the game, while a tribute video will include photos of Caps fans stationed around the world.
Also Wednesday, fans will be able to purchase Courage Caps, presented by Microsoft, which are team-issued and -branded hats that will be sold through December at Capitals home games, at Kettler Capitals Iceplex and online at WashingtonCaps.com with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting USO-Metro. The Courage Caps program has raised nearly $70,000 in its first two years.
In addition, the Capitals' American players kicked off the Veterans Day celebration Monday, volunteering at Operation USO Care Package Day at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.
In Columbus, the Blue Jackets will host Military Appreciation Day prior to facing off against the Detroit Red Wings.
Before the game, the 338th U.S. Army Band will perform on the concourse while fans are encouraged to visit displays featuring battle flags, artifacts and uniforms provided by the Ohio Historical Society and the Ohio National Guard. Fans also may visit informational kiosks to learn more about the Ohio Historical Society, Department of Veteran Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of America, U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute, Wounded Warrior Project and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.
Just prior to puck drop, the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines will be represented during the pre-game ritual of carrying the flag followed by the multi-service Honor Guard's participation in the presentation of the national anthem. The evening also will feature in-game recognition of all current and former military personnel in attendance. Fans may also express their appreciation by signing cards that will be sent to overseas troops by The Thank You Foundation.
The Boston Bruins are idle Wednesday, but will honor local military members, veterans and their families at "Military Appreciation Night" on Thursday, Nov. 12, during their game against the Florida Panthers at the TD Garden.
In support of the armed forces, Bruins defenseman Mark Stuart has purchased $5,000 worth of tickets to the game that he will give to local military members and their families.
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