Canyon Lakers gather for moment of silence

Several Canyon Lakers gathered at the Veterans Memorial Park in the Towne Center to pay tribute to veterans and have a moment of silence at 3 p.m. to honor those who died in service to the United States.

The National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress, asks Americans, wherever they are on Memorial Day at 3 p.m., local time, to pause in an act of national unity for a duration of one minute. The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday. The Moment does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather, it is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died in service to the United States.

Among those in attendance were members of the Canyon Lake Veterans Committee and Councilman Randy Bonner. Bert Barbay led the group in a moment of silence. “Is was a short tribute but meaningful to those who were there,” said Nancy Horton who read “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae.

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae:

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.