Two Poems in Remembrance of Memorial Day

Two poems in remembrance of our fallen heroes on Memorial Day. You can hear my reading of both poems on Spotify at https://d3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net/s.

Remembering Our Fallen on Memorial Day

Freedom is your legacy,
Paid for with your precious life,
Far from home and family,
In wars both wise and unwise.

I walk in light thanks to you,
Teach, write, speak, think without fear,
And our flag flies proud and true,
Beacon of hope through the years.

I stand proudly for our flag,
Hand over heart as I sing,
Our Anthem whene’r it plays,
As my voice cracks and eyes tear.

Emotions run high for me,
Not from empty foolish pride,
But because in her I see,
Your most poignant sacrifice.

Freedom comes not from its wish,
Nor peace from prayers on their own,
They come from soldiers like you,
Who selflessly gave their all.

I carry you in my heart,
Every day of every year,
The debt I owe you cannot,
Be repaid in words or tears.

Rest in peace, beloved dead,
May God grant you honors due,
Today I will fly our flag,
And in it always see you.

Death of a Quiet Soldier

Behind enemy lines you gave your life,
The risks you knew and embraced willingly,
Red, black and green berets fought by your side,
And brought your body back to family.

Later in a ritual of their own,
They would name a field airport in your name,
And honor you, your brothers, far from home,
Their memory now your eternal flame.

I do not know your rank, your name, your face,
I only know that I am in your debt,
Who for your family can take your place?
Our debt to them we must never forget.

The freedom I enjoy comes thanks to you,
And all who serve with honor, proud and true.

Reviews

[Relic]

Two great poems, Victor. I wrote one myself.

I don't think people understand or realize what these men went through. The fear, the sickness, the sleepless nights, and the horrific scenes they were forced to see. Is it any wonder most refused to talk about what they saw and experienced.

They gave everything for us, yet sadly, most memorial days are thought of as vacation time with no thought at all to those who lay in Arlington or anywhere else soldiers who gave their lives are buried.

Kudos to you for these poems and other writings you've done on the subject.

[Victor D. Lopez]

Thank you, Relic. I am old enough to recall in my pre-teens soldiers returning from Vietnam spat upon as thanks by those who stayed behind and burned their draft cards. One of my first poems, long lost, was about a soldier returning home and looking out of the window of his bus taking him home seeing only the devastation left behind in jungles far from home. I support those who peacefully protest wars they deem to be unwise of unjust, but never those who disrespect the soldiers who fought them in answer to their nation's call only to be met with derision and scorn upon their return.

[Relic]

I agree. I've always been confused as to why nam soldiers were treated so harshly. I recall seeing someone with a sign that said Viet Nam - The land God forgot. And I've heard of the mean statement that called them 'baby killers.' They suffered their whole lives while there and at home. Life just doesn't make sense sometimes.