MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day holiday weekend is here.
Many consider this the first official weekend of the beginning of summer, even though the first day of summer is a few weeks later.
For some, Memorial Day weekend is a chance to take a trip to the shore or beach, an opportunity to go camping, have a picnic in the park or enjoy a cook-out in the back yard. Many will get together to watch the Indy Race. The holiday means something different to everyone.
As a veteran, the Memorial Day is a day to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and now slumber under grassy covered mounds. The day is one where flags are flown at half mast. There will be parades to honor those fallen heroes, services at gravesides or at a veteran’s club. Speeches will be given by key note speakers at many of these observances and someone someplace may read John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields”. Recently I learned that John McCrae was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Canadian Army. This poem is considered one of the most memorable war poems ever written. As I read the poem during the week prior to Memorial Day I find the words moving on how the poppies grow between the crosses of those who gave their lives. Years ago I wrote a poem for Memorial Day where I mentioned the poppies being the color of the blood of those who died and were buried in Flanders Fields.
Over the years I have composed many a patriotic poem for Memorial Day. Ninety-nine percent of the poems have been dedicated to members of either my family or my husbands. A few have been dedicated to a family member of a friend or acquaintance or dedicated to a friend who served in the military and has passed on. This year will be no exception as I stand at the podium on Memorial Day at services and read a new poem dedicated to a member of one of the veteran’s organizations of which I am a member.
Sometime this weekend, I suggest you attend a Memorial Day service in your local area. It only takes no more than an hour out of your weekend. Buy a poppy if available; fly your flag; wear your red, white and blue and remember this weekend is about those who gave their all so we could enjoy the barbeques, cookouts, picnics and Indy Race.
Till next time….remember FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.
　

GIVING ALL WITHOUT HESITATION

©

Scottie-ann Murphy

MAY WE ALWAYS REMEMBER AND NEVER FORGET

ALL WHO ANSWERED THEIR COUNTRY’S CALL

ON NONNATIVE LANDS THEY FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY

AT TIMES UNCERTAIN OF HOW THEIR DAY WOULD END,

GIVING THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICED

MANY PERISHING UPON THE BATTLE FIELD

THEIR BLOOD SOAKING INTO FOREIGN SOIL

WE CALL THEM

‘HEROS’

UPON THEIR FINAL RESTING PLACE

A FLAG IS PLACED LETTING EVERYONE KNOW THEY

PROUDLY SERVED UNCLE SAM

TODAY….A GRATEFUL NATION WILL UNITE TOGETHER

TO PAY HONOR AND TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO

HAVE GONE TO THEIR FINAL REST

FLAGS LOWERED TO HALF MAST

WE BOW OUR HEADS FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE

THE RIFLE SQUAD FIRES A TWENTY-ONE GUN SALUTE

AND THE BUGLER WILL SOUND “TAPS”

FOR THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED WITH

DISTINCTION….HONOR….AND PRIDE

WITHOUT HESITATION…THEY GAVE THEIR ALL