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Description

In memory of the service men, women and animals who have fought and died in wars across the centuries. Lest we forget.
__________________________
IN FLANDER’S FIELDS
by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae of Canada.
In Flander’s 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 Flander’s 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 Flander’s fields.
Composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915 during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium.
________________
Artist Notes: German Shepherds remain the most popular breed of dog used in war today, though Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds are now also favourites. Other breeds of dogs have served as well, including Russian Terriers, Airedale Terriers, Labradors and Canaan Dogs. They have been bomb detectors, sentries and more; but they haven’t been the only war animals. Horses have been called to war more often than dogs over the centuries and made to charge against the enemy, forced to deny their right as a prey animal to be afraid despite an overwhelming number of things to be terrified of upon the battlefield. Besides charging bravely upon the enemy horses were depended upon for carrying munitions, moving artillery, transporting supplies and taxiing the injured from the front lines to military hospitals, often while under heavy fire. In WWI pigeons were instrumental in their role as message carriers and were invaluable in their services, many soldiers owing their lives to their unique skills. There is even record of a cat serving and other animals, including at least one black bear, have also served, often as regimental mascots. Today, dogs like shepherds are the most common animal found in combat because of their natural talents but horses are still used as well. I drew a shepherd because of their prevalence in recent wars.
The photo is from Wikimedia Commons.
(c)Rosanna P. Brost 2013. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Description

In memory of the service men, women and animals who have fought and died in wars across the centuries. Lest we forget.
__________________________
IN FLANDER’S FIELDS
by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae of Canada.
In Flander’s 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 Flander’s 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 Flander’s fields.
Composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915 during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium.
________________
Artist Notes: German Shepherds remain the most popular breed of dog used in war today, though Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds are now also favourites. Other breeds of dogs have served as well, including Russian Terriers, Airedale Terriers, Labradors and Canaan Dogs. They have been bomb detectors, sentries and more; but they haven’t been the only war animals. Horses have been called to war more often than dogs over the centuries and made to charge against the enemy, forced to deny their right as a prey animal to be afraid despite an overwhelming number of things to be terrified of upon the battlefield. Besides charging bravely upon the enemy horses were depended upon for carrying munitions, moving artillery, transporting supplies and taxiing the injured from the front lines to military hospitals, often while under heavy fire. In WWI pigeons were instrumental in their role as message carriers and were invaluable in their services, many soldiers owing their lives to their unique skills. There is even record of a cat serving and other animals, including at least one black bear, have also served, often as regimental mascots. Today, dogs like shepherds are the most common animal found in combat because of their natural talents but horses are still used as well. I drew a shepherd because of their prevalence in recent wars.
The photo is from Wikimedia Commons.
(c)Rosanna P. Brost 2013. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.