SNIPPET: Ireland's last veteran of the Great War, Mr. Thomas SHAW, of Belfast, died at the age of 102 on 2 March 2002. He was buried 7th March at Clandeboye Cemetery, Bangor, Co. Down. More than a quarter of a million Irishmen fought in WW-I (1914-1918). While 35,000 Irish survived, they came home to a country in violent upheaval fiercely fighting its own battle between the north and the south. Many returning soldiers faced unemployment and prejudice - some were murdered for having served in the British Army. Over the years, in the Irish consciousness, the poppy and Remembrance Day have been associated with respect for those who died in the war and memorials and museums honor them. Please see the piece at the "Irish Culture & Customs" website entitled 'The Irish Soldiers Killed in WWI,' by Bridget HAGGERTY, honoring her Galway-born father who survived the war and others who served - in particular, those who died. There is also a stirring poem and a fine painting there. "Irish Voices from the Great War," H/c (1995) book by Myles DUNGAN along with his companion volume, "They Shall Not Grow Old: Irish Soldiers Remember the Great War," H/c (1997) chronicle the experiences of the soldiers in the trenches, their boots rotting off their feet, exposed to malaria and other diseases, their experiences as POWs, role of chaplains, trials back home, through first-hand accounts. Below are lines from poems in "The Best Loved Poems of the American People," ed. Hazel Felleman (1936) 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 loved, 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 REPLY TO IN FLANDERS FIELDS Oh! Sleep in peace where poppies grow; The torch your falling hands let go Was caught by us, again held high, A beacon light in Flanders sky That dims the stars to those below. You are our dead, you held the foe, And ere the poppies cease to blow, We'll prove our faith in you who lie In Flanders Fields. Oh! rest in peace, we quickly go To you who bravely died, and know In other fields was heard the cry, For freedom's cause, of you who lie, So still asleep where poppies grow, In Flanders Fields. As in rumbling sound, to and fro, The lightning flashes, sky aglow, The mighty hosts appear, and high Above the din of battle cry, Scarce heard amidst the guns below, Are fearless hearts who fight the foe, And guard the place where poppies grow, Oh! sleep in peace, all of you who lie In Flanders Fields. And still the poppies gently blow, Between the crosses, row on row, The larks, still bravely soaring high, Are singing now their lullaby To you who sleep where poppies grow In Flanders Fields. -- John MITCHELL ANOTHER REPLY TO IN FLANDERS FIELDS In Flanders Fields the cannons boom, And fitful flashes light the gloom; While up above, like eagles, fly The fierce destroyers of the sky; With stains the earth wherein you lie Is redder than the poppy bloom, in Flanders Fields. Sleep on, ye brave! The shrieking shell, The quaking trench, the startling yell, The fury of the battle hell Shall wake you not, for all is well; Sleep peacefully, for all is well. Your flaming torch aloft we bear,, With burning heart and oath we swear To keep the faith, to fight it through, To crush the foe, or sleep with you, In Flanders Fields. -- J. A. ARMSTRONG AMERICA'S ANSWER Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead. The right that ye so bravely led We've taken up. And we will keep True faith with you who lie asleep With each a cross to mark his bed, In Flanders fields. Fear not that ye have died for naught. The torch ye threw to us we caught. Ten million hands will hold it high, And Freedom's light shall never die! We've learned the lesson that ye taught In Flanders fields. -- R. W. LILLIARD