Canadian war poem, In Flanders Fields, to be honoured

A new Edmonton park will commemorate the100thanniversary of Lt.-Col.JohnMcCrae'slegendary poem, In Flanders Fields.

Thepoem andsacrifices of Canadian soldiers will beremembered atFlandersFieldParkinGriesbachduringanunveiling ceremonyat11a.m. on Sunday.

Griesbach, a former military base, fits the bill for the park's location.

McCraeassembled his iconic verses while under heavy artillery fire in BelgiumduringWorld War One.

"He sat down and penned this poem in the middle of incredible fighting, endless fighting; the shelling never stopped during that battle," NeilChymkotold CBC Radio'sMarkConnollyduring Friday's Edmonton AM.

Chymkoison the board of directors for the Castle Downs Recreation Society, which helped to champion the poem's celebration.

CDRS, along with Canada Lands and military reserve units, partnered on the project and will host the event.

Thepark featurespoppy beds and walkways symbolizingthe trenches of the GreatWar.A bronze plaque replicatingMcCrae'shandwritten verseswill be unveiled, along withstoryboardsonMcCraeand how his poem is connected to Remembrance Day.

Astudent will recite the poem.

Chymko believes the park and the commemoration of thepoem will raise awareness and educate people about the men and women ofour military.

"We've always been committed to the theme of remembrance around Canadian veterans and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice."

The public is encouraged to attend Sunday's celebration.