Memorial Day 2011

From the Arlington website, a poem for Memorial Day

Memorial Day by Michelle R. Keim
As we stand here looking

At the flags upon these graves
Know these flags represent
A few of the true American brave


They fought for their Country
As man has through all of time
Except that these soldiers lying here
Fought for your country and mine


As we all are gathered here
To pay them our respect
Let’s pass this word to others
It's what they would expect


I'm sure that they would do it
If it were me or you
To show we did not die in vein
But for the red, white and blue.


Let’s pass on to our children
And to those who never knew
What these soldiers died for
It's the least we can do


Let’s not forget their families
Great pain they had to bear
Losing a son, father or husband
They need to know we still care


No matter which war was fought
On the day that they died
I stand here looking at these flags
Filled with American pride.


So as the bugler plays out Taps
With its sweet and eerie sound
Pray for these soldiers lying here
In this sacred, hallowed ground.


Take home with you a sense of pride
You were here Memorial Day.
Celebrating the way Americans should
On this solemnest of days.
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on this Memorial day, honoring my father's oldest brother, who fell in WW II,
Staff Sgt. John W.(Bill) Daley

and honoring also those whose stories, and families, have for various reasons stayed in my heart over the years of war, such as Capt Maria I Ortiz ,  SFC Shawn Dostie ,  2nd Lt Christopher E. Loudon ,
Staff Sgt Christopher R Morningstar , and Staff Sgt Solomon T. Sam

remembering Lance Cpl Daniel T. Morris , and
 Pfc Thomas R. Wilson

Also, remembering the fallen from our local area:
Marines
Lance Cpl. Daniel Bubb

Lance Cpl Jason Redifer

Lance Cpl Jourdan Grez

Army
Spc Brian (Bucky) Anderson

and keeping all of their families in our thoughts and prayers, most especially on this Memorial Day.

From last Memorial Day until the video below was made on May 23 this year, 549 men and women have perished in the wars being fought by our American Heroes serving in the Armed Forces




There have already been more names added to this list since May 23.


Let us not forget their sacrifice, or their names, or their grieving families.