World War I

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the cross, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing fly
Scare hear 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.

-- John McCrae,
1872-1918

note - 400 Americans are buried in Flanders Field, Belguim

 Poppy "Watermelon" from my garden

S S Wilhelmina --  Arrives in Boston Harbor April 5,1919, carrying thousands of troops from the 32nd Divison on their way home to Michigan and Wisconsin

 -- Detroit News Archives

   Thousands of men from the 32nd impatiently jam the decks of the Wilhelmina as she docks at Boston.  Do you see our own Otto among the many happy faces?

-- Detroit News Archives

   Troops from the 32nd division march down Woodward on their return to Michigan, May 12, 1919

-- Detroit News Archives

   Nurses come home as well.  Our own Blanche Bertelsen maybe among them.

-- Detroit News Archives