Memorial Day

Memorial Day brings memories

And grief

For the families of our service members

Who never came home.

Their deaths

Sting and hurt
Their parents

Each and every day
I honor those families

Today, especially today.

I went to my cousin’s funeral.

She was a week shy of 93.

We buried her

Next to her son’s grave.

He died in Viet Nam.

I stood where I stood

So many years ago,

At his gravesite service.

Memories of our own son’s funeral

On the Long Beach Naval Station’s chapel

Enveloped me with sadness.

I could still hear the bagpipes

Playing Amazing Grace.
Parents and family members suffer

Every single day

The loss of their children,

Our service men and women,

More keenly, 

And forever.

Today, I honor them, as well.