Memorial Day
A handful of old men walking down the village street
In worn, brushed uniforms, their gray heads high;
A faded flag above them, one drum to lift their feet-
Look again, O heart of mine, and see what passes by!
There’s a vast crowd swaying, there’s a wild band playing,
The streets are full of marching men, or tramping cavalry.
Alive and young and straight again, they ride to greet a mate again-
The gallant souls, the great souls that live eternally!
A handful of old men walking down the highways?
Nay, we look on heroes that march among their peers,
The great, glad Companions have swung from heaven’s byways
And come to join their own again across the dusty years.
There are strong hands meeting, there are staunch hearts greeting-
A crying of remembered names, of deeds that shall not die.
A handful of old men?-Nay, my heart, look well again;
The spirit of America today is marching by!
– Theodosia Pickering Garrison
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Thank you all who have served America. You are true heroes and we are forever in your debt.
-Steve
Steve,
Thank you for your poem, and thank you for your support to the ones who serve or have served in uniform.
Currently I have served 15 years with the United States Army and been deployed over 3 years to combat zones from Afghanistan to Iraq. Most days I feel that I am a regular guy who just gets out of bed the same as the rest, some nights however, I join the ranks of my fellow combat veterans and deal with our still enduring war from the PTSD.
I want to say thank you for supporting all of us. Cause without the support us fellow Soldiers would have not been able to do what we do during these times.
Heath Conaway
SSG, U.S Army
Fort Hood, Texas
Thank You for posting this . To all My fellow Vets THANK YOU for your sacrifice . To all the Families of those who have fallen on the field of Battle Thank You for the gift of Sacrifice for mine and others Freedom.
Steve as a 21 year active and now a retired Marine. I as many have attended memorial services for friends and brothers in arms. For me each one takes a pice out of my heart. The loss of a friend and fellow service member. We each know why we are there. To serve our country. Some give all but all give some. Please remember the freedom you enjoy is not free. The bill has been paid by many before you without asking you to do the same. Thank all veterans today & every chance you can for paying it forward.
Thank You, and Amen
AMEN. May your gifts of sacrifice, bravery, and selflessness never be frogotten.
This is a wonderful post Steve. Thanks for honoring our military with it both past and present. Jeff
All true american are strong we take it on the chin, And we fight to the death for truth & freedom.
All I can say is it was my career and one hell of a ride. Twenty four years in the US Army, just two combat tours, TDY more times than I can count. “Essayons” “Building for Freedom”.
Thanks for the nod, Steve. On behalf of all the brothers and sisters, today/yesterday/and tomorrow in the Armed Service…thank you !!
Papa George
Steve, thank you for thinking of the men and women that are, and have serverd this wondreful country. I’m a former Marine combat vet, (Vietnam) and I have to say, in the past years with our young people fighting in 2 really stupid wars in the middle-east, (just like Vietnam) they have done a hell of a job. I hope all the people we send to Washington to look out for our best intrest, remember that the next stupid war they start, they should send there kids first. But not likly.
So to ever one that has put of a par of Combat boots, and marched across Indian country, and the one’s that were in the rear, with the beer and the gear to support the one’s in Indian Country, Semper Fi. We will never forget the one’s that didn’t come back, they are the real heros.
Thanks Steve.
Let’s all take a moment & remember. Today & every day.
1st mate Jim.
Steve,
Thank you so much for posting that. Yesterday (Memorial Day) I was at my Dad’s grave with my 9 year old Daughter to visit my Dad and to plant flowers. My Dad served in the Navy and then also did a tour in the Air Force. Also buried in that cemetery (in New Jersey) is my Uncle (U.S. Army veteran) so we brought flowers for his grave also. As my Daughter and I got out of the car, I noticed a brand new flag on my Dad’s grave, we also noticed a red carnation on the base of his headstone. The local Veteran’s group apparently had been there early that morning and put a new flag and a red carnation on the grave of every veteran buried there. I can tell you it was an amazing sight to see hundreds of American gently blowing in the breeze. My Daughter and I stood there silently for a minute or two looking down the hillside. My Daughter said, “Daddy look at all the brand new flags”. I explained to her who did it. The she said to me ” That was really kind of them to remember all these men that were brave soldiers. I feel very sad that they died.” I agreed and as we walked the couple yards to my Dad’s grave she said something that made my eyes start to water. She said, “we are so lucky that they were brave American soldiers and they died so we could be free.” I am always proud of my amazing Daughter, but I don’t think I have ever been more proud of her than I was at that very moment. I had to turn away from her so she would not see tears falling from my eyes and I don’t think that I ever missed my Dad more than at that time when I not only remembered him as an amazing father but also as a brave hero that risked his life to defends his country.
Wonderful poem Steve. My dad passed in September last year. His last few months he mostly spoke of the Normandy invasion. Thanks for remembering the brave military.
This was great Steve, and thank you. I served for eight years, and each of my three children, two boys, one girl, also served, and my eldest is retiring in June after 28 years in active service. I am proud of them, and proud of you.
Every time I see anyone wearing a military style base ball cap, I remember to say “Thank you for your service.” You’d be surprised how often they stop and look, then smile, and say “Thank you” back to me.
We’re loosing our WWII and Korean vets at an alarming rate. If you have one in your family, PLEASE ask them to tell you about their experiences. Write their stories down and share them, otherwise they will pass without anyone knowing of them.
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