Who among us has walked the streets of the Commonwealth in November and seen the paper poppies by the thousands, worn by passersby, signifying the remembrance of those lost at war, and not been moved? Yet without our own personal effort, in America Memorial Day has become little more than an excuse for a three-day weekend, the opening of pools, and, of course, shopping. Companies often find it a great challenge balancing commerce with honoring the ultimate sacrifice. It is not an easy balance, especially in an age of instant social criticism and mockery. Fred Wellman, a veteran and CEO of ScoutComms, a communications and research firm helping organizations understand, engage, and activate the veteran and military communities, has a few thoughts which he shared in our most recent Forbes column.
In the column, we reference In Flanders Fields, which succinctly sums up our responsibility to those who have sacrificed all for the very ideals of democracy and capitalism. Do not break faith with those souls, so that they can sleep, “though poppies grow in Flanders fields.”
In Flanders Fields
By John McCrae
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.
Enjoy the read.
Richard
Reputation Management & Risk Communications eBook Foreword
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