Son's Memorial Day Poem

by James
(Englewood, New Jersey, USA)

Many students think of Memorial Day as just another school holiday when they do not have to go to class. For me and my family, Memorial Day is more important than just a day off from school. Each year my mom, my sister, and I go to the Afghanistan-Iraq War Memorial and Forest Hill cemetery in Dimondale, Michigan. We go there because my father died in 2008 while fighting in Iraq.

We take a car drive about four hours to Michigan, to pay our respects to my father. When we get there, I look out and see the statue of an army helmet and gun surrounded by flags. This memorial means a lot to me because my father is one of the men who was lost in the Iraqi war.

I go over to it and read the engraving which says, “In honor of all who have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom. Never forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

A tear forms and rolls down my cheek as I read the last line. I know that my father was one of those men who made the ultimate sacrifice and died fighting for our country. I know that this memorial stands for him and the thousands of other heroes like my father.

I walk to his gravestone and place there a poem that I wrote for him. I miss him.

Son's Memorial Day Poem

Dear Dad, words cannot describe
how much I really miss you.
I think about you every day
and love you very much.

I remember family trips we took,
and how much fun that was.
I know we cannot do that again,
I’m proud of you, I love you.