Arboretum

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. 

John McCrae, 1915.

The poppy referred to in the poem is Papaver rhoeas and commonly called the corn poppy.

When I see a veteran selling poppies during the days leading up to Memorial Day I don’t hesitate to buy one.  I do this to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to our country and to honor many friends and family members that have served.  My nephew Brandon is a United States Marine.  A mechanic servicing F-18 fighters, he will be deployed to Japan in September.

We as a country, must never forget that the freedoms enjoyed and sometimes taken for granted would never have been possible for not the loss of life and heroism in the many wars through the years.

The two images below are from the Haverford College Library, Special Collections.  The Army Specialized Training Program (ATSP) utilized the campus and taught engineering, foreign area and language studies as part of the program to add non-combattant service students during WWII.

Working at a college, you put all your horticultural eggs in one basket, Commencement Day.  The Arboretum and Grounds crews have spent the last few weeks manicuring and primping the turf, flower beds, tree rings and even wiping down trash and recycling receptacles for this Sunday.  The month of May, we mulch. 

Many times overlooked and often a thankless job,  Mike P. (Pavlakowski) of the grounds crews puts down new sod along the commencement parade route.  Grounds Manager,Claudia Kent wipes down the trash cans in front of the Dining Center. 

To ensure the seating area is properly line out for chair set up, Grounds member, David Tierney works with mechanic, Len Sides.  They use a string line and paint to evenly mark the rows for seating.

Haverford College on any given day is beautiful.  However, on Commencement Day it is transformed to a higher place.  It is with pleasure we present the setting for the graduating Class of 2012 with a campus landscape so beloved.

I wish the Seniors happiness and peace as they leave this place ready to start anew.