“In Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row …”
That opening line from the famous poem penned by Canadian physician John McCrae in tribute to brave soldiers who died in battle during World War I was enough to choke up many of the expatriates in attendance at the November 11 Remembrance Day ceremony organized by Lake Chapala Branch 182 of the Royal Canadian Legion. All were wearing bright red poppy lapel pins that have become a signature of similar memorial services held worldwide to honor members of the armed forces who gave their lives in the line of duty.
Guest dignitaries Stephane Charbonneau, Canadian Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner in Guadalajara; Marc Delisle Deputy Canadian Defence Attaché in Mexico City; and Chapala Mayor Javier Degollado assisted in the laying of wreaths in memory of fallen military heroes before sharing words of inspiration with the audience.