Old Glory
  As I walk along the oceans path on a summer’s afternoon
I can see the flag we call Glory
wave gracefully on the steps of our home.
The sounds of the gulls call above me,
as waves caress the shores below,
It reminds me how much I miss you still,
and suppose I always will.
It’s volunteers we’ll always be
Though serving may call us away,
And we’ll willingly give all that we can
So our flag may wave freely each day.
In our hearts we carry our loved ones
and our country each step of the way,
with the hope that those who we’ve loved, left and lost
will remember, forever to them true, we remain.
‘tis for country we stand tall and proudly,
as with pride we serve each day.
  We remind ourselves, hopefully others too
 The price as Old Glory waves.

     Kathryn T. Cross   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

 

            
     “Parade Day!”
                
               New York City Public Library
           ~All dressed up~
                for the NYC Veteran's Day Parade









Forget me not

And then on steps we gathered today
To remember our warriors of yesterday.
It is for them we remember and pray
The lives they lived, the child they once were
Their laughter, their smiles and all they endured.
For a flag that waves ever so true
And a hope in our hearts that reminds us it’s you
Who stepped up and knew it was freedom we sought
And all you would ask is….

Forget me not.

                                                       Kathryn T. Cross
                                                     July 1, 2011 

     All Dressed Up!
      Fleet Week
           at
  New York City Hall                       

 



 
    Happy Easter!

           Happy Spring!

 
       
    Valentine’s Day Greetings
                                     With love and gratitude
              To our Veterans and Military Service Members

       

        Holly Berries and Mistletoe

                        Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas

                                       and a Happy New Year

                      

      

  
    The Field of Wreaths

       in Battery Park

      New York City

               


     The Heroes Trees

Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Plaza
       New York City, New York

 
   
   
     A quiet row in a favorite dory on a lovely summers evening,

     a sky filled with stars .... and gentle cool breeze,

     only the sounds of the soft waves as they caress the shore,

      the pitter-patter of sand pipers scurrying along the beach,

      and the sea grasses swaying in the breeze.


                                                   Summer
              
                                                         .

  Firefighters Memorial Tribute
"Never Forget"

  The Canadian home of an American Soldier. 
     In memory of U.S. Marine Jonathan Simpson Paquette of St. Eustache, Quebec, Canada
     May you rest in peace knowing our grateful nations will not forget your sacrifice.

  






                               Independence Day! 
          New York City Harbor
                                                       2010

The Fields of Flanders
On this summer day as the cool winds blow,  across the fields of Flanders,
We remember you and your selfless gift,
Across fields where poppies grow…..
Memorial Day Greetings!

The town of Ypres is located in the Flemish Province of West Flanders, Belgium and is the location of the well known Fields of Flanders.  Ypres, located on the western front of WWI, was also the location of the first use of large amounts of poison gases by the Germans which completely devastated the area. The three battles of Ypres were some of the biggest battles of the Great War.

In the spring following these big battles where the grounds had been churned up by dugouts and war, seeds of poppies lay dormant for many, many years.  In the turned earth the seeds began to germinate among the graves of the fallen soldiers and in the spring amidst the vast devastation, produced vast fields of brilliant red corn poppies.  For those who witnessed this beautiful phenomenon it took on the ghostly appearance of brilliant fields of blood.  A vivid reminder of the bloody battles that had so recently taken place there among the fields.

The corn poppy a common European weed found in many locations throughout Europe, became a cultural icon to Military Veterans especially the Veterans of World War I.  They have become associated with wartime remembrance and were immortalized in the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Canadian poet of Scotch immigrants, John McCrae, written for his fallen friend Lt. Alexis Helmer.

In the United States, it is common practice to wear "Buddy Poppies" (artificial, paper or plastic versions distributed by the Veterans of Foreign War) during the weeks preceding Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, to commemorate the sacrifice of veterans in the various wars.  

This illustration is dedicated to Major John McCrae who lost his life like so many others at war not to bullets or battle but to disease, for him pneumonia at the age of 46, to his friend Lt. Alexis Helmer who died following battle at Ypres at the age of 23 and to all of the young people who have so gallantly sacrificed their lives for the hope of a free and peaceful world.

A moment, a memory a flag that waves so true,
We’d like you to know, today we honor you.
Reflections and memories of those who’ve gone by
Never to be forgotten,  they fought by your side,
Some in the field, others from above
Defending a nation, gratefully that we love.
We pray now dear serviceman,
That you know our hearts remain ever true
To the ones who’ve defended our Red, White and Blue.
We remember, appreciate and oh yes! We applaud,
Your gallant sacrifice for your country, and for us all.

The Puffin that I illustrated and use as my logo is done in loving memory of my son, Tyler.
The wreath symbolizes Eternal Remembrance for his gallant and selfless sacrifice for his country.
The gold star represents a symbol proudly displayed since World War 1 by those who have lost their loved ones in Military Service.
I proudly acknowledge this as I continue as a volunteer in his honor and memory.
The Puffin is a silly bird we both enjoyed, it represents a place we both loved and the place he left for heaven from, Iceland.

 * You will find "secret" puffins on most of my illustrations in his memory.