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加中时报〉〉议员之声(Norm Kelly)

Norm Kelly: 国殇纪念日Remembrance Day

( Norm Kelly )

您有没有看见近日加拿大人别在襟上的红色罂粟花？以下是个中含义。红色的罂粟花象徵数以千计在南非、第一及二次世界大战、韩战和无数维持和平任务中牺牲了性命的加拿大人。红色的罂粟花也提醒我们，加拿大人曾经被请到远方捍卫自由；而新的加拿大人的後代，即您的儿孙，也有责任秉承这个优良的加拿大传统。

采用红色的罂粟花象徵失去生命和牺牲，乃是源於加拿大医生约翰麦克拉 (John McCrae) 陆军中校所写的一首诗。他於第一次世界大战时，在比利时伊普尔以北的加拿大驻地看到田野中盛放着红色的罂粟花，因而产生了灵感。这个景象让他想起了他许多的病人和战死了的同志们所作出的牺牲。他所写的诗 「In Flanders' Fields」(《佛兰德的战场》)成为了第一次世界大战最着名的诗歌，经常在国殇纪念日的仪式上朗诵。英国、加拿大、澳洲、新西兰及其他英联邦国家都有配戴红色罂粟花的传统。

国殇纪念日始於 1919 年，最初称为停战纪念日；纪念第一次世界大战在1918年11月11日上午11时结束。今天，在每年第11个月第11日的第11个小时，加拿大默哀片刻纪念它死去了的士兵。20多万加拿大人战死沙场或受伤，他们在维米山脊、海拔70米山上、布伦森林、孟斯、帕斯肯达尔、伊普尔、迪耶普、诺曼第和北大西洋奋勇作战，捍卫香港，并且参与解放义大利和韩战。我们必须谨记：一个伟大如加拿大的国家，有赖国民前赴後继地作出终极的牺牲，才得以建立起来。

纪念加拿大男儿勇於请命，有时由学校差遣，牺牲他们的健康、青春和生命，为了我们所享有的自由而作战，这是每一个享受这个国家优待的加拿大人的义务和责任。所以，在这个星期，从许多站在商场或杂货店的退役军人手上取一朵红色的罂粟花；在11月11日，记着说声「谢谢」。在未来的日子，将会是您和您的後代获得致谢。

In Flanders Fields

By John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row by row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard among 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 yea break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

*******************************

English Version:

Remembrance Day

Have you seen the red poppies that have recently sprouted on the chests of Canadians? Here’s what they mean. The red poppy symbolizes the thousands of lives sacrificed by Canadians who fought in South Africa, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War and numerous peace keeping missions. The red poppy is also a reminder that Canadians have been called upon to uphold freedom far from home, and that future generations of new Canadians - your children and grandchildren ? have the obligation to continue this great Canadian tradition.

The use of the Red Poppy as a symbol of loss of life and sacrifice is based on a poem by a Canadian physician, Lt. Col. John McCrae who, at a Canadian station north of the WW I battlefield at Ypres, was inspired by the sight of a field full of blossoming red poppies ? a sight that reminded him of the sacrifices made by many of his patients and fallen comrades. The poem he wrote, “In Flanders’ Fields”, became the most famous single poem of the First World War and is often recited during Remembrance Day ceremonies. The wearing of the red poppy is a tradition maintained in England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the British Commonwealth.

The first Remembrance Day was held in 1919. It was originally called Armistice Day. It commemorated the end of the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. Today, on the 11th, hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canada honours its fallen soldiers with a moment of silence. Over 200, 000 Canadians were killed or wounded in combat, fighting in battles at Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Bourlon Wood, Mons, Passchendaele, Ypres, Dieppe, Normandy, the North Atlantic, defending Hong Kong, and participating in the liberation of Italy as well as the Korean War. It is important to be reminded that a great country like Canada can only be built if its citizens are willing to continue making the ultimate sacrifice.

Remembering the courage of Canadian boys who volunteered, sometimes by the classroom, to sacrifice their health, their youth and their lives, to fight for the freedoms that we benefit from is the obligation and the responsibility of every Canadian enjoying the privileges of this country. So, this week, pick up a red poppy from the many veterans who will be standing at the mall or the grocery store and on November 11th, REMEMBER to say ‘Thank You’. In the future, it will be you and yours that will be thanked as well.

In Flanders Fields

By John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row by row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard among 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 yea break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.