Saturday, May 26, 2012

Memorial Day Poem, by Edgar Guest


    I saw this photo on Facebook today and I thought it was such a good reminder that I want to pass it on. Although I have published some stories and poems by non-class members before, I have never posted something by a published writer. I decided to make an exception on this holiday weekend and pay appropriate tribute to those who have fought for our freedoms. I hope you are inspired by this Edgar Guest poem. Would you like to share your own memories of loved ones who paid the ultimate price for our Freedom? If so, please use the comment section to share your story.

These did not pass in selfishness;
they died for all mankind;
They died to build a better world
for all who stay behind;
And we who hold their memory dear,
and bring them flowers today,
Should consecrate ourselves once more
to live and die as they.

They were defenders of the faith
and guardians of the truth;
That you and I might live and love,
they gladly gave their youth;
And we who set this day apart
to honor them who sleep
Should pledge ourselves to hold the faith
they gave their lives to keep.

If tears are all we shed for them,
then they have died in vain;
If flowers are all we bring them,
forgotten they remain;
If by their courage we ourselves
to courage are not led,
Then needlessly these graves have closed
above our heroes dead.

To symbolize our love with flowers
is not enough to do;
We must be brave as they were brave,
and true as they were true.
They died to build a better world,
and we who mourn today
Should consecrate ourselves once more
to live and die as they.

3 comments:

  1. I have a story about my grandfather, my great-uncle, and my uncle Fred (who I never met), which I posted about Memorial Day on this blog, in May 2010, just two years ago.

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    1. To read Annette's story, copy this address into your web browser:
      http://writetorememberyourstories.blogspot.com/2010/05/memorial-day.html

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  2. Thank you Bonnie, for reminding us what this day means and has meant to many Americans who sacrificed so much. This day is less about Bar
    BQ s' and more about honoring those who gave their lives for our freedom. "Freedom isn't Free," It's bought by the blood of our soldiers!

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