Remembered, Always.

Remembering the ones who served, the ones who died & Freedom's gift to those who remain.

We honor all upon this day,
who gave their living sum,
that children oft could run and play
because the followed drum.

The deaths of those who battled fear,
that we could know some peace
show courage, that brought honor near,
caused tyranny to cease.

Some days, parades bring fame to those,
who battled and returned.
This day we honor those who chose
to stay, the end discerned.

In silence, stand before a grave,
or sit near, praying long.
A life, a gift, Republic save.
We sing a loving song.

These words are meager in the face
of what those faces saw.
Remember those in Saving Grace,
"who faced the battle's maw."

Their painful death, the daily loss,
the faces on the wall.
The grief weighs down, that none can toss,
the phone we cannot call.

The lives of Joy and lasting smiles,
that time cannot erase,
the times we drove o'er many miles,
sustained by God-blest Grace.

That mem'ry of the last we spoke,
so many years ago.
The lasting hole in the heart that broke.
That life no more can grow.

On foreign field, or old age bed
the battle took its toll.
The heart and flesh, they both have bled
to rest on windy knoll.

In honored hope we keep alive
these loved ones, who are gone.
We hope our efforts daily thrive
to praise your victories won.

Line Count: 40
Branch: Navy
Nationality: Caucasian American
(Dad, but I thought of others as I wrote)

by Jay O’Toole
on May 28th, 2025