Memorial Day

Tomorrow is Memorial Day—that day set aside each year to remember those brave men and women who paid the ultimate price for the country they loved so dear.  There will be parades and speeches to mark the occasion.  It is something we have grown accustomed to, perhaps too much so.  Remember that when a solider dies it’s for us.  It’s so easy to rush through the day and not give a thought to our fallen heroes and how much we owe them.  I thought this poem, by Theodosia Pickering Garrison, would help remind us all of the true significance of the day. 

A handful of old men walking down the village street

In worn, brushed uniforms, their gray heads high;

A faded flag above them, one drum to lift their feet-

Look again, O heart of mine, and see what passes by!

There's a vast crowd swaying, there's a wild band playing,

The streets are full of marching men, or tramping cavalry.

Alive and young and straight again, they ride to greet a mate again-

The gallant souls, the great souls that live eternally!

A handful of old men walking down the highways?

Nay, we look on heroes that march among their peers,

The great, glad Companions have swung from heaven's byways

And come to join their own again across the dusty years.

There are strong hands meeting, there are staunch hearts greeting-

A crying of remembered names, of deeds that shall not die.

A handful of old men?-Nay, my heart, look well again;

The spirit of America today is marching by!

In love,

Thomas Sneed

Pond Church of Christ