This is the day we pause
in these hectic lives we live
to praise those who gave for our country
everything they had to give.
This is the day we remember
to enlighten each new generation
that we can never cease to pay homage
to those who died for this great nation.
This is the day we bow our heads
to honor headstones with no name,
though we may not know who is buried there,
we thank them just the same.
This is the day for thankfulness;
a day filled with gratitude
a day to ensure these heroes are still revered
after these twenty four hours conclude.
This is the day for families
to share memories from years ago
and to learn about the relatives
they never got the chance to know.
This is the day to remember
the battles so easy to ignore
those they fought to protect our future;
a cause they believed worth dying for.
This is the day in our minds,
to remember and reflect
and bestow upon each fallen hero,
the highest medal.our respect.
This is the day of heroes
and a chance to display our pride;
a time to show that we still adore
the country for which we fought and died.
This is the day to cherish the freedom
too often taken for granted,
for the blessings we enjoy today
are from the seeds these heroes planted.
This is the day we face our flag
and get down on our knees
to pray for those who gave the greatest gift
so it could wave proudly in the breeze.
This is the day to affirm...
though their earthly bodies are gone,
their bravery pride and spirit
in American hearts, live on.
And as they look down on Memorial Day
from their heavenly domain,
they'll know we still cherish our freedom
and that they did not die in vain.

©Copyright 2001 by Linda Ellis

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