Heroes' Memorial Day Poem

by Matt
(Savannah, Georgia, USA)

We are a deeply patriotic family. We have had a family member in every war and conflict since Vietnam. With two members of our family currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan we know daily how precious life is. We appreciate the many who have given their lives in the service of our country.

Every member of our family who served has lost friends on the battlefield. Those are the people we remember each Memorial Day. My father tells funny stories about what happened to his friends in Vietman (better to remember the good days they shared than the sad ones). We have heard these stories often over the years, so that we feel these friends are part of the family.

We follow a ritual to honor them each year. After the stories we go outside and raise the flag. My mother says a short prayer for their families. We contemplate that though their lives were brought up short, they are now in a better place.

A few years ago on Memorial Day, we went to the Vietnam Memorial. It was a moving experience, seeing all those names, knowing that so much potential has been lost. But without those losses there is no way we would enjoy the freedoms of being American.

We may formally commemorate our heroes on just one day, but they are in our hearts all year. Our prayers include the soldiers currently deployed, in hopes their names will not be added to another monument.

Heroes Memorial Day Poem

They tried to come home to their families,
but only succeeded in preserving ours.

They tried to come home to their families,
but only left memories and sadness of life gone.

They tried to come home to their families,
they failed, but will live in the hearts of Americans.