A few moments later, Joseph welcomed everyone to the special graveside service. "I'd like to start today by thanking all who, despite the risk and sacrifice, raised their hand to fight the good fight. The price of freedom and the safety to live as we choose is high. We cannot afford to forget that it is paid by many in different walks of life and in different ways, but all are still honorable and should never be forgotten. Recently our town faced an enemy that had been living among us. He planned to use an old wound from our past to inflict hurt and pose a great danger to our future safety. But this town showed its strength and resiliency and its true heart. Though it's been seven years since the town changed to Hope Valley, the heart of Coal Valley is alive and well and beats strong."
Joseph paused to say a prayer over the service before continuing his speech. "Today, it is our privilege to honor each of you and to honor the service of the three fine men that served in the war. A war not their own. A war fought for people they never met. We honor your service, sacrifice, and selfless devotion to duty and thank you for answering the call. We are fortunate that we as a town did not suffer any losses to the great war though other towns did. By God's grace, our three heroes, Hope Valley's sons, returned to the fold and stand before us. At this time, I would like to ask Elizabeth Thornton to come forward with a special presentation in honor of all those who fought in the war but didn't make it home." Joseph said
Elizabeth stepped forward. "As part of our remembrance week, I was reminded of a poem we discussed in class that was written by Lieutenant John McRae, who served as a brigade surgeon for an artillery unit. In the spring of 1915, he spotted a cluster of poppies shortly after the battle of Ypres. It was the first time that poisonous gas was used as a weapon in warfare. Lieutenant McRae tended the wounded and saw firsthand the carnage that had been wrought on the land and the people. It was estimated that 87,000 allied soldiers were killed, wounded, or went missing during the battle. A friend of his, Alexis Helmer, was among them. Seeing those poppies growing on such broken ground inspired him to write the poem In Flanders Field.*1 If you will indulge us, Allie Grant will read that poem in honor of the men and women who never made it home."
After a reassuring hug from Elizabeth, Allie stepped up and began to read.
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,
We 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.
"Thank you, Allie, that was beautiful," Elizabeth said, hugging her. "On November 9, an American woman named Moina Michael wrote a response to the soldiers in Flanders Fields entitled We Shall Keep the Faith*2. If you will indulge us for just a few more minutes, Emily Montgomery will read it. Like Allie, Emily came forward to stand by Elizabeth as she read the poem.
Oh! You who sleep in Flanders Fields.
Sleep sweet-to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw.
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With all who died.
We cherish, too, the poppy red.
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
The blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields
And now the torch and Poppy Red
We wear them in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields
"Thank you so much, Emily, that was wonderful," Elizabeth whispered.
Looking at her former students, she asked them to come over where a canvas covered a tall structure. "Joseph said that by God's grace, our town didn't lose anyone in the war. But so that we never forget to honor those who served and to remember that We Keep the Faith, we have created a memorial that will be placed here among our loved ones. This was designed by the three brave men before you."
Gabe and James removed the canvas while Bradley turned around a beautifully carved cross with the words, WE SHALL KEEP FAITH, the dates of the War and poppies were carved into the wood. There was not a dry eye amongst the people. After a few moments, Elizabeth and the others stepped back over to the side.
"Thank you, Elizabeth," Joseph said. "Thank you, children, for those lovely tributes, and then turning to the three men, "Thank you for creating such a wonderful memorial for your fallen brothers and sisters. God certainly blessed the work of your hands, and may he continue to do so, gentleman."
"Last evening, we learned about the resiliency of those left behind from the town's tragedies. Women and children rose from the ashes to become the legacy of those who died. It is through tragedy and adversity that God's love and mercy are truly on display. A small group of people who stayed transformed the town into one of hope and love, courage, and strength. Nowhere else have I ever encountered a group of people who truly reflect love thy neighbor as Hope Valley does. You certainly know how to circle the wagons. I'm so grateful to God and the people of this town who have taken my family and me into your fold so readily and without reservation."
"We already know that those who serve in the war are heroes. We know that those who serve as Mounties are heroes. But what about those 47 men who died in the mine explosion on the afternoon of June 20, 1910?"
"To answer that, let me start by defining what a hero is. A hero is defined as a man admired for his achievements and qualities. Other words that could describe such a man would be brave, courageous, fearless, greathearted, intrepid, stalwart, resolute, and noble. In my mind, it is someone who displays devotion to duty. I can't think of any greater duty than a father providing for his family at great risk to himself." Joseph continued.
"Acts of heroism are manifested in some unusual or extraordinary conditions in which one must make his choice. It's performed in service to others in need, whether person, group, or community.
It is a pity that such circumstances often arise due to the irresponsibility of others whose job was to avoid the inevitable tragedy like the mine disaster. Instead of the company seeking to keep the men safe, it is often the heroes feeling the weight of responsibility to provide retribution to the victims and their families. All courageous and noble people are capable of heroism. It requires a willingness to make a choice in favor of those who need your efforts. Some people believe that heroes can be ordinary people who possess such qualities as selflessness, devotion, and courage. It sounds like those men who died in that mine are heroes, aren't they? At least to those of us here in town who remember." Joseph said. "Those men left their mark on this town long after their death in the legacy they left behind. I'm referring to women and fatherless children who were left behind in the aftermath."
"I have asked Abigail, Molly, Cat, and Florence to describe the events of that day briefly so those who weren't there can gain a sense of what the day was like from their point of view. Joseph added, then held out his arm and said, "Ladies!"
"Someone once said they could imagine how hard it was for me to see Peter and Noah go into the mine every day. As any of the widows can attest, we didn't think about it." Abigail said.
"We just went about our business and pretended we didn't know what they were doing. Or how deep in that Mountain they really were." Cat added, her eyes beginning to tear.
"Then our husband's shifts would end, and they'd come, sometimes laughing, sometimes grousing, always covered in that coal dust," Florence said.
"Our husbands never talked about the danger they were in. It's an unspoken contract every coal miner makes between himself and his family." Molly said brokenly. "But we all knew anyway."
"The explosion was so loud; it shattered windows and rattled the whole house. Then it dawned on us what had happened." Abigail said, her voice full of emotion as the memories came to the surface.
"No one said a word because we didn't need to," Florence said.
"All we could think to do was run," Molly added.
"There are no words for what we felt, what was in our hearts," Cat added.
"But they never came home," Abigail said with a heavy sigh. The women gathered in a group hug before stepping back and walking off to the side.
The ladies have made wreaths for each grave, and the schoolchildren will place a wreath on the grave as we go through the list of names. For those children, please come forward when your parent is called." Joseph said. Abigail stood there smiling like the proud mother she was.
Elizabeth stepped forward and called out, "Noah and Peter Stanton," Cody stepped up and placed the wreaths on the graves.
"Paul Blakely," Paul Jr. stepped forward shyly, looking over at Allie as he placed the wreath.
"Patrick Sullivan," Elizabeth smiled as Rosaleen stepped forward with a shy smile. She couldn't help remembering how hard her father's death had hit her.
"Joseph Montgomery," Elizabeth called out and smiled as Emily laid her wreath on her father's grave.
"Thomas Fremont," Elizabeth called as she gave a soft smile to James as he picked up a wreath for his father.
"Charles Stonelake," Elizabeth called and smiled as Gabby, assisted by her mother, laid the wreath. The list went on as the wreaths were placed one by one.
Once again, Elizabeth stepped back, but she had Jack stand next to her because she knew the time had come and it was her turn to honor her husband.
The final person we need to honor is Constable Jack Thornton of the North West Mounted Police." Joseph said, looking over at Elizabeth. "Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth and Jack stepped forward into the center.
"My husband died as he lived….Jack died as he lived... a hero. He was leading a group of recruits through the mountain when there was a landslide. He pushed two of his men out of the way, saving their lives... At the expense of his own."
"I have heard others say never will I meet a better man. Never will there be a braver Mountie." Elizabeth took a deep breath and looked over at Opal as a memory came to her. "It has also been said that never will there be a truer friend."
"Jack Thornton, my husband, was a humble man. He viewed his duty as a Mountie, not as a choice that deserved praise but as his heart's calling. He served as a mentor to the children and was a partner in my endeavors to reach my students. I could say so many little things about my Jack, but I will end with these words. I was blessed, and my world was richer for having had him in my life, even for such a short time. In honor of Jack, I would like to sing his favorite song, "Oh Danny Boy,"
As Elizabeth began to sing, scenes from memories flowed like they did the night she sang them for the music recital.
Nathan closed his eyes as the words and her voice flowed over him. He had never heard it sung so beautifully and soulfully. He could hear, towards the end, the emotions creeping in, and she began to struggle. But he was floored when after she said Oh Danny Boy, the widows joined in with I love you so. But the next moment, Jack approached his papa's grave, executed a perfect Mountie salute, and said, "I love you, papa!" Then the kids went over and stood behind Jack, copying his movements, and said, "We love you, Mountie Jack!" Then Mike Hickam stepped up and played the Last Round to end the service.
"Before we close this ceremony, there are three more heroes that I would like to recognize. As I mentioned earlier, Jack was always willing to assist in mentoring my students and helping support me in teaching. Though he has been gone, I am fortunate that I still have support from Constable Nathan Grant, Judge Bill Avery, and Constable Gabe Kinslow. For a long time, I never understood Jack's calling for the Mounties, but now, as I have observed Constable Grant, Constable Kinslow, and Judge Avery, I realize it's about making the world a better place. There's nothing more noble or selfless than that. All of them have been instrumental in being a positive male influence on my son so that he can learn what it means to live by the Mountie Code of ethics which is at the core of who these wonderful men are. Constable Grant didn't hesitate to talk with a student when they came to me about leaving school early to join the Mounties. He convinced him that he should finish school first and ensured he knew what being a Mountie entails and the commitment it requires."
One thing I have learned that I know Rosemary would agree with is that Mounties serve under a brotherhood code of honor. By continuing to serve honorably, they honor their fallen brothers. They also honor the wives and families who have lost men in the line of duty like I lost Jack.
I have seen it in action with Gabe, who has been there for me as I struggled with my loss. I have observed it with Bill as he watched over the town that Jack loved as well as being there for our son and me. I have most certainly seen it with Nathan. For those that don't know, Nathan requested Hope Valley specifically because he felt that he had a duty to watch out for a fallen brother's widow and son. All of these are examples of dedication and selfless service that should always be commended.
I believe they also honor the wives and their families who have lost men in the line of duty like I lost Jack."
Her words moved Nathan, Bill, and Gabe, and it didn't escape Bill and Nathan's notice that she used similar words that Nathan himself had. At that moment, Elizabeth had managed to breach the last of Nathan's defenses. Knowing that she did understand him and that she appeared to have conquered her fear filled him with joy and hope. But along with that feeling came fear and the urge to run. It had been a while since the old memories had played in his head, but they were back, and tears of frustration welled up, and he closed his eyes in an attempt to keep them from falling.
"In honor of Jack, we salute you for always being there standing in the gap for your fallen brother and for honoring us with your service," Elizabeth said
Hearing a gasp, he opened to see Elizabeth and Jack standing in front of Bill and Gabe in a Mountie Salute. Gabe and Bill both returned the salute. Allie stepped forward and handed two packages to Elizabeth.
"Thank you, Uncle Bill and Mountie Gabe. We made you something." Jack said. Then Elizabeth handed him the first one.
"Mama and I made you something," Jack said with a grin handing them over to the men. "Allie helped me with mine,"
Bill was the first to open his, and he was visibly choked up. Jack had drawn a picture of him and Bill together on Hero with Allie's help. Then wrote thank you and I love you. Looking over at Gabe's, Bill saw the same picture, only with Apollo. He did not doubt that there was one waiting for Nathan too. As he went to show the crowd, he realized there was a second frame.
"Oh, Elizabeth!" Gabe exclaimed, looking at the watercolor picture. It showed Nathan, Bill, and Gabe in front of the Jail. At the top, looking down at them, was a picture of Jack as if overseeing them.
"How did you do this?" Bill rasped. He held it up for the others to see.
"I called Julie, and she made them for me," Elizabeth said. "I sent individual pictures of you, so she had your faces." Gabe and Bill hugged her, Jack, and Allie. Then Joseph led them in the closing prayer. Before dismissing them, he reminded them of the dance to celebrate the ending of the war. It was also a celebration of the many blessings that God had bestowed on their town. The crowd quietly dispersed, reflecting on the service and the loved ones that had been honored. Nathan slipped away quietly after the prayer had been said, not wanting to be caught disobeying the Doctor's orders.
*1 Field, Almon E, and John McCrae. In Flanders Fields. 1915
*2 Mona Michael. We Shall Keep the Faith. 1918
A/N HOW THE POPPY BECAME A SYMBOL OF REMEMBRANCE DAY
As stated above it, all started with the poem written by Lieutenant John McCrae's poem written in the spring of 1915. From 1914 to 1918, World War One took a greater human toll than any previous conflict, with some 8.5 million soldiers dead of battlefield injuries or disease. The Great War, as it was known then, also ravaged the landscape of Western Europe, where most of the fiercest fighting took place. Brutal clashes between allied and Central powers tore up fields, trees, and even forests, scarring the land. Despite all the devastation, red poppy flowers still manage to grow and inspired Lieutenant to write his poem In Flanders field.
Though a powerful symbol of remembrance, the Papaver rhoeas, is regarded as an agricultural weed. It thrives in disturbed soil. In fact, it can be found most of the time as seeds labeled wildflower mixes.
Lieutenant McCrae was showcasing the voices of the soldiers who had paid the ultimate price in the war and who lay beneath those hearty flowers who grew despite the devastation that was all around. A reminder that even among the devastation, there's beauty to be found in rising from the ashes. It would become one of the most famous works to come from the World War and continues to be used in memorial Services. It had become famous by the time its author died in January 1918 from meningitis and Pneumonia.
Moina Michaels was Inspired by the poem she read in an issue of Ladies Home Journal. She wrote her own poem to honor the fallen two days before the Armistice was signed. She vowed to always wear the poppy in honor of them. She was able to find an initial batch of the blooms for herself and her colleagues at the YWCA.
After the war ended, she came up with the idea of making them and selling them to raise money for returning service members. Her original campaign to use the colors from the flag of the allied nations entwined around a victory torch didn't get far. However, in mid-1920, the Georgia branch of the American Legion adopted the poppy minus the torch as the symbol they would use.
In Europe, a French woman named Anna Guerin was already championing the red poppy as a symbol. She had been invited by the North American Legion convention to speak out about her idea for an Inter-Allied poppy day. It was because of her that legion members adopted the poppy as their symbol as well. The following May, they celebrated National Poppy Day with her.
Back in her homeland, she organized French women, children, and veterans to make and sell flowers to help with the restoration of France after the war. It is thought that she is the single most figure that can be credited with the poppy being the widely recognized symbol even today as a remembrance.
Today over a century after World War One ended, millions of people in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand dawn the red flowers every November 11th, known as Remembrance Day or Armistice Day, to commemorate the anniversary of the 1918 Armistice.
In the United States, the tradition has developed a little differently. Americans don't typically wear poppies on November 11th, which honors all living veterans; instead, they wear this symbolic red flower on Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, to commemorate the sacrifice of so many men and women who have given their lives to fight for their country.
World War I ended on the 11th month on the 11th day on the 11th hour. In America, it has become known as Veteran's Day.
HOW TO WEAR THE POPPY
The poppy should be worn on the right side. The red represents the blood of all those who gave their lives, the black represents the mourning of those who didn't have their loved ones return home, and the green leaf represents the grass and crops growing and future prosperity after the war destroyed so much. The leaf should be positioned at the 11 o'clock position to represent the exact time World War I officially ended.
