Memorial Day... In remembrence

[navynam]

Found this while looking for a poem to read at memorial day services....
ET
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As the sun sets in the darken sky I see a column of dark uniform figures marching off to the distant land of never ending peace and love.



As the sun sets in the darken sky I see the faces of old friends from my boyhood slapping each other on the back and talking about how their fight was over for them.



As the sun sets in the darken sky I hear the sounds of their marching feet echoing across the land but not the sound of cannons.



As the sun sets in the darken sky I hear the voices of those who march off to the distant land calling to one another.



As the sun sets in the darken sky I hear them say do not weep for us for our pain is over with now and we go to our God in peace.



As the sun sets in the darken sky I hear them say tell our love one?s we are sorry we could not say goodbye but we still love them and we will hold them in our hearts.



As the sun passes over the horizon the image of those marching men pass from the sight of my eyes but not the words they said which I hold onto and the memory of each and every one of them. I whisper back to them I will pass on your words to all who will hear them from me. This I promise to all of you as long as I live. Farewell my friends, farewell.



Guy L. Jones(101901)

Nam Vet 68 ? 69, 43d Signal Bn, Pleiku, Vietnam.

[Drywall]

Starting at 5:30 am and lasting until around 11:00 am, our Legion/VFW Honor Guard goes to nine cemetaries, two Veterans Memorials and a community program at a local park. At the cemetaries a list of all who are buried there from all wars is read. A rifle salute is fired and a live bugler plays taps. A lot of relatives show up at these little country cemetaries and are grateful to have their loved ones honored for their service and sacrifice. At the Veterans Memorials a rifle salute and taps are rendered. At the community program the local dignitaries speak, both the Legion and VFW give out Americanism awards to various people who, thru their volunteer work within the community on behalf of veterans, have given countless hour of their time. One wreath is set upon a cross and one wreath is cast upon the waters. A rifle salute and taps are rendered in remebrance of those who gave their lives on land, in the air and at sea in defense of our nation.

It gets to be a long day for us but we are both proud and humbled by our task. To be able to give back, in some small measure, to those who gave all the honor they deserve.

After my "official" duties are ended, I plan on going down to Ft. Snelling National cemetary to visit with my mom and dad. And also an uncle who is there now also.

May you all have a wonderful Memeorial Day, whether it be public, private or just being with your thoughts. God bless us, everyone.