In 1983 CBS aired a Peanuts special, What Have We Learned, Charlie Brown. In the film Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (And Don’t Come Back) Charlie Brown, Linus, Pepperment Pattie, Marcie, and Snoopy went to France. What Have We Learned picks up shortly thereafter, with the kids visiting Flanders and the beaches of Normandy where they reflect upon the sacrifices made by soldiers and the tragedies of war. What I remember, at the span of nearly a quarter of a century, is Linus reciting John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields”:
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.
“What have we learned, Charlie Brown?”
I guess great minds think alike, I posted the “In Flanders Fields” on my blog as well. Though, I didn’t mention the Charlie Brown aspect.
It seems to be traditional for people to post “In Flamders Fields” in their blogs or LJs on Veteran’s Day.
The poem fits better on Memorial Day–that’s the day we celebrate those who gave their lives in war, while Veteran’s Day is about commemorating those who fought–but as Veteran’s Day is merely Armistace Day in another guise posting the most famous poem about the Great War and reflecting on its meaning makes a great deal of sense.
CBS/Viacom/Paramount needs to get their act together and release all the Charlie Brown specials on DVD. That’s all I have to say about that.