A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

We set aside one day, late in May, each year.
To remember all those loved ones who are no longer here.
Their gravesites are strewn with flowers and greens.
Their resting places turned into colorful scenes.

In Eighteen Hundred Sixty Eight, it's said,
A day was proclaimed to honor Civil War dead.
For years it was called Decoration Day,
And observed in a humble and reverent way.

Now it's known as Memorial Day and we honor those who've gone
With parades and Flags and music and speeches on the lawn.
We remember all those valiant souls, defenders of our land.
Those who fell at Gettysburg and on Middle Eastern Sand.

In the trenches of the Ist World War, the beaches of Bataan,
In Normandy, Korea and the jungles of Vietnam.
This day is for reflection, and perhaps to shed a tear
For our own departed heroes and all others we've held dear.

So armed with flowers, those lovely symbols of Spring,
To those that we've lost, heartfelt feelings we bring.
We should all hold very sacred this momentous day in May.
In hopes that we will be remembered.. in that way too, someday.