New Adventures of Queen Victoria by Pab Sungenis for May 25, 2009

Thank you, Pab

One of my favorite poems.

Beautiful, thanks Pab.

Reminds me of the ending of the fourth “Blackadder” series.

Thank you for remembering.

Amen.

Beautiful strip today; thanks, Pab.

Well said, Pab.

too bad the picture wasn’t in color. The red poppies would have been a very nice touch…. Beautiful

Semper fidelis Pab.

Dignity & Class.

Pab, you are a gentleperson and a scholar.

Perfect. Absolutely pitch perfect, Pab. Thank you.

This poem was used not only to mourn WW-1 dead, but in its time also as a recruiting tool in that “War to end all wars” - a line omitted above is “Take up our quarrels with our foes.” America’s Decoration Day, which became Memorial Day, should be remembered most deeply in 2009 for those who died in our Civil War so that ALL Americans have the same rights under our Constitution.

If you like “In Flanders Fields” by Canadian Dr. Jon McCrea you should enjoy Herman Melville’s “On Malvern Hill”. Malvern Hill was a battlefield during the American Civil War. I think McCrea must have read and been inspired by Melville’s poem. Both inspire deep feelings about the sacrifices our military makes every day. Thank you all for remembering. — Malvern Hill

Ye elms that wave on Malvern Hill In prime of morn and May, Recall ye how McClellan’s men Here stood at bay? While deep within yon forest dim Our rigid comrades lay– Some with the cartridge in their mouth, Others with fixed arms lifted South– Invoking so The cypress glades? Ah wilds of woe!

The spires of Richmond, late beheld Through rifts in musket-haze, Were closed from view in clouds of dust On leaf-walled ways, Where streamed our wagons in caravan; And the Seven Nights and Days Of march and fast, retreat and fight, Pinched our grimed faces to ghastly plight–

Does the elm wood

Recall the haggard beards of blood?

The battle-smoked flag, with stars eclipsed, We followed (it never fell!)– In silence husbanded our strength– Received their yell; Till on this slope we patient turned With cannon ordered well; Reverse we proved was not defeat; But ah, the sod what thousands meet!– Does Malvern Wood Bethink itself, and muse and brood?

We elms of Malvern Hill Remember every thing; But sap the twig will fill: Wag the world how it will, Leaves must be green in Spring.

— Herman Melville

I don’t know why it messed up the final stanza. – We elms of Malvern Hill Remember every thing; But sap the twig will fill: Wag the world how it will, Leaves must be green in Spring.

Thanks, DYPAK, I’ve never seen that poem.

Our dead are not gone until we have forgotten them.

I really enjoyed yesterday’s strip, but this one is wonderful. Thank you, too, Dypak, for the Melville poem!

The true enemy is unlimited government imposed on the unwilling by force. Honor those who died in defense of the right purposes: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

…let us not just remember those whom died for our country but also those who had to continue living with their wounds after they came home…

3hourtour: So right you are!

To those who have died, those who have fought, and those who fight on… And for the day when we can “beat our swords into ploughshares and our spears into pruning hooks”…

Thanks, Pab.

meshugunah, there is nothing meshuganah about you! Way to quote the Scriptures!

Well, that’s one set of scriptures. During the present cycle, we seem to be paying more attention to what Krsna said to Arjuna on the eve of battle.

Great Memorial Day cartoon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-LkTsol220

“The Green Fields of France” as sung by John McDermott.

Hail and well-met, hail and farewell to soldiers past and present…and thank you all.