MEMORIAL DAY.....Day 4

As I wrote yesterday I’m re-posting a verse I composed a few years ago.  This was written in May 2016; and dedicated to members of the honor society veterans organization the FORTY and EIGHT (40&8) in Florida who had passed away between May 2015 and April 2016.  Today many of us will be attending Memorial Day services in our community.   We will stand as we pay tribute to those who gave their lives for freedom.  Remember them today with a moment of silence.   

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“THEY GAVE WITHOUT RECOURSE”

©Scottie-ann Murphy

(Dedicated to: All Voyageurs, Grand du Florida, who passed on between May 

                            2015- April 2016 Year)

Under grassy covered mounds

 forever slumbering in final rest

    lies one who made the supreme 

            sacrifice

Upon their grave a flag placed

  to let everyone know 

      that a hero sleeps below

Without reservation or recourse

  answering the call of our nation

     off to war…proudly marching 

   to avenge tyranny and oppression

Fighting for freedom and democracy

       on the cold waters of the sea,

     in the sky and on land

Many would never know just how the day ended

         as they perished in battle

THEY GAVE THEIR ALL

Without hesitation to preserve

  the freedom enjoyed today

MEMORIAL DAY……..

More than a day off work

    much more than barbeques, picnics,

          outings at the beach or lake

MEMORIAL DAY…..

It belongs to those who gave their lives

    in the service of our country

We show our honor and respect

   by attending services, lowering the flag 

          to half-mast

            firing a twenty-one gun volley

and listening to the haunting sound of 

             “Taps”

For us they gave their all,

For them a grateful nation gives thanks

   with a moment of silence to those who

         slumber below 

MEMORIAL DAY....Day 3

I posted this a few years ago in a blog but decided to do so again this year.  I composed this after attending a Memorial Day service at my Legion Post.  Generally my Memorial Day verses are dedicated to a veteran or two but I decided since I had written this while at the Legion to make it a dedication to all veteran members who belong to Post 69.
As we reflect upon tomorrow and the reason for the day, the words of the piece do ring true.  There IS NO bar code on those who gave their life for their beliefs as the price of freedom IS NOT free.
Many communities may hold a Memorial Day service today and some tomorrow; if possible attend an event, buy a poppy and remember those who gave their all.
Until tomorrow.......there will be another verse reflecting on Memorial Day that I’ll post here.

      MEMORIAL DAY REFLECTIONS

(For American Legion Post 69, Avon Park, Florida where this poem had been composed on Memorial Day 2012)

©Scottie-ann Murphy

Today we stand with bowed heads and heavy hearts

   as the bugler sounds “Taps”

Paying tribute and honor to those who have gone

   to their final rest 

Dedicated to our country, our flag and our beliefs

They served with pride on foreign soils,

   in the skies and upon the waters

In battle they met the foe without hesitation

Some never knew how their fight ended

One day a year….only one day….

   we remember with respect those who ‘gave their all’

     that today we may enjoy the freedom we have

As we stand for just a brief moment of silence

    we all should remember that the price of liberty

       does not come free

No price tag hangs with a bar code 

  from the men and women who served and are

    serving our country

Memorial Day....#2

Yesterday I blogged about Memorial Day and what it means.  Many people are confused about Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day and Armed Forces Day.  There is a difference on what each day’s designation.  I’ve seen a few different versions of why we celebrate or remember each day.  As I said before Memorial Day is not a day of celebration but remembrance; a day to honor those who gave their lives.  I’ve seen various takes on the meaning of each day but this is the best in my opinion. 

I saw this on a social media site today; it says all. 

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             THERE IS a DIFFERENCE 

            ARMED FORCES DAY

For Those who currently wear the uniform.  

                      VETERAN’S DAY

For Those who used to wear the uniform.  

              MEMORIAL DAY

For Those who never made it out of the uniform. 

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Remember take some time out of your weekend to attend a Memorial Day service in your community; and on Monday give a few moments of silence for those who never made it home from war. 

lease take time out of your weekend to attend a Memorial Day service in your community and give a few moments of silence for those who never returned home.  

MEMORIAL DAY 2019

Memorial Day weekend is upon us.  Many consider this the beginning of summer, even though summer is still weeks away.  Many will also be traveling making this a three day mini-vacation.  Others are planning outings to perhaps a lake, beach or park; while some will have backyard cookouts.  

Race fans will gather around the television to watch the Indy Race.  

Over the years I’ve heard people say to me “Happy Memorial Day”.  THERE IS NOTHING HAPPY about the day.  It’s a day of solemn; a day to remember those who gave their lives in war so we may have the freedom we enjoy each day.  

It’s those who slumber under grassy covered mounds; those who never knew how their day would end when on the battle field; it is a day to pay them honor and tribute.  Many ignore the true meaning of Memorial Day; they do not give consideration as to what the day is actually about.  Veteran’s organizations will be holding services at cemeteries or their post home; participate in parades or other patriotic activities.  The flag will be lowered to half mast and moments of silence will be observed.  Everyone should take time out of the three day weekend to attend a service in their community.  What is an hour out of the weekend to remember our fallen heroes when they gave us their greatest gift, THEIR LIFE.  

Until next time.....if you see poppies being sold by veteran’s organizations, please purchase one and wear it with pride.  

The following is the piece I’ll be reading at Memorial Day service on Monday.  

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      “THEY GAVE TO US....Their All”

               © Scottie-ann Murphy 

    (Dedicated to Remona Knight & Mike Parker    Memorial Day 2019)

Always remember

     and never forget those who gave their     

        lives for freedom 

Without the brave....

   there would be NO independence 

Memorial Day....it is more than a three day 

          weekend

It is not about picnics in the park....

 trips to the beach or lake.....

 backyard barbecues....cookouts....

          or the Indy Race 

But...........

        a holiday to remember....

             a day to pay tribute....

 to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice 

BRAVELY....

    NOT SELFISHLY....

        they gave their all to preserve peace

            so others may live without tyranny 

Today....we lower flags to half-mast.....

      Lay a wreath....

          Have a moment of silence.....

            Fire a twenty-one gun volley.....

                    Sound Taps....

Honoring the men and women who now   

    slumber under grassy covered mounds 

THEY GAVE THEIR ALL for us......

     they died so we may enjoy our freedom     

          each and every day