This is the Memorial Day weekend as you all know.
Below is a poem a veteran who works with my daughter, Marni, wrote for the occasion.
Jewels of Freedom
Hear the echoes of history and time
Footfalls of soldiers marching in line
Where did they go, what did they say
Are you listening, do you care anyway
We shared a coke float at the local drugstore
He left on a bus to return no more
It was boot camp, training night and day
Then on to battle so far away
Pendleton, Polk, Benning and Dix
Many came, trained and humped across the sticks
What did you say, you heard a voice
From one long ago who had no choice
Its honor and pride, personal you see
That drives men and women who serve to be free
Why was it you and you and you
And not me, not me, not me too
When I turned you were gone from the drugstore stool
Only yesterday we were in high school
No Democrat, Republican, red or blue
Black, white, red, Muslim, Christian, Jew
Don’t ask, don’t tell, bullets fly
They know nothing and don’t ask why
Patriots, patriots strong and sure
Fear ever present but courage is pure
Why you and you and you
And not me, not me, not me too
I really can’t hear their faint cry
You see we are really busy you and I
Why should we bother on this Memorial Day
Oh your sister’s in Iraq did I hear you say
Have a hotdog and an ice cold beer
Not to be troubled with thoughts so dear
It’s hot baseball on a sunny day
Early celebrated on the 30th of May
Soldiers, sailors, airmen and crew
Marching and singing as they parade through
Did you ever wear a poppy to honor the dead
Most never heard of it, though it’s bright red
Why you and you and you
Not me, not me, not me too
Coral Sea to Corregidor
Normandy’s beaches, they are no more
From the central highlands of Vietnam
Battles in Ia Drang, Hue and Khe Sanh
Puff the magic dragon unleashed his terrible roar
Yet a single ground to air missile has ended this chore
I hear their voices soft and sweet
From Desert Storm and Iraq they meet
They rolled across the desert in M1 tanks
Pause, reflect and give thanks
From the mountains and passes of Afghanistan
Ghostly figures raise their hands
Remember, remember the sacrifice and call
Don’t neglect and forget those who gave all
Why you and you and you
Not me, not me, not me too
What do I owe, the tab is great
The price of freedom will never abate
Freedom to succeed and freedom to fail
Petty politicians bark and wail
Peace they cry, why should we fight
There’s nothing to be gained by the use of might
Like gems that sparkle and diamonds that glow
Jewels of freedom are valuable you know
Wear them in remembrance of those precious and dear
Whose shining faces in the mist appear
Not for money, fortune, glory or fame
But for honor, country, family and name
How valuable are those gone before
Priceless I say, from freedom’s shore
A soldier’s tomb is oft a melancholy place
Where emotions and loved ones intersect and embrace
History and time march on to the drum
Do you know a soldier, have you lost someone
As you listen, listen the notes are clear
Trumpets playing taps in a cemetery near
Turn your head, give a nod and look their way
Recall their sacrifice this Memorial Day.
Gary A. Hall
5/11/11
