Memorial Day

Remembering Heroes

The little boy asks
about heroes long gone.
The tree shades him and sighs.
The tree has witnessed tears shed, silent tears,
raging tears,
for lives lost.
The flag flies in the wind today,
red white and blue,
in their honor.
The flag whispers tales
of heroes known and unknown.
They had courage,
they had vision,
they sacrificed,
for our freedom.
I wonder if they can watch the parades
from heaven.
Front seats for their own funerals,
as the ground weeps when they are laid to rest.
We need to remember them today,
and always.

26 comments:

1. 
   AdrienneMay 30, 2011 8:53 AM

   Good Morning ~ Happy Memorial Day
   This is very touching...I think of all the heroes unknown to me, and hope that they are ALL being remembered today by those who loved them and lost them. Thanks for this.

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2. 
   Brian MillerMay 30, 2011 9:06 AM

   a stirring tribute...i remember and honor them today...

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3. 
   DulceMay 30, 2011 9:41 AM

   Yes Madam
   we need and MUST

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4. 
   iseeyoulookingatmeMay 30, 2011 11:12 AM

   I believe they can see from Heaven. And, I love the line, "as the ground weeps when they are laid to rest." That is a very beautiful and moving image.

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5. 
   ClaudiaMay 30, 2011 12:05 PM

   beautiful tribute - and i like the pic you chose for underlining...yes we must remember them..

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6. 
   HopeMay 30, 2011 12:22 PM

   beautifully written reminder. thank you!

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7. 
   GinnyMay 30, 2011 12:48 PM

   'The flag whispers tales
   of heroes known and unknown.'
   '...the ground weeps when they are laid to rest.'
   
   Such touching thoughts to read today, Memorial Day.
   Thank you.

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8. 
   TALONMay 30, 2011 2:00 PM

   Beautiful and so very true, ayala. Thank you to all those who have served and continue to serve. They deserve a special place in our hearts and minds.

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9. 
   Kristen @ MothereseMay 30, 2011 3:20 PM

   This is beautiful, Ayala, as always. And I think your last line holds such an important reminder: to hold these men and women in our hearts not only today, when we're reminded to, but everyday.

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10. 
    ayalaMay 30, 2011 4:39 PM

    Thank you, Adrienne. I hope so too. Happy Memorial Day!

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11. 
    ayalaMay 30, 2011 4:40 PM

    Brian, I know that you do....

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12. 
    ayalaMay 30, 2011 4:41 PM

    Dulce...yes ..we need and must!

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13. 
    ayalaMay 30, 2011 4:41 PM

    Thank you, Caroline.

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14. 
    ayalaMay 30, 2011 4:43 PM

    Thank you, Claudia. The photo I took at Arlington two years ago of my son as he looked on this sad place.

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15. 
    ayalaMay 30, 2011 4:43 PM

    Thank you, Hope.

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16. 
    ayalaMay 30, 2011 4:44 PM

    Thank you, Ginny.

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17. 
    ayalaMay 30, 2011 4:45 PM

    Thank you, Talon. It's a gratitude we should always carry in our hearts.

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18. 
    ayalaMay 30, 2011 4:46 PM

    Thank you, Kristen.

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19. 
    Rachel HoytMay 30, 2011 7:59 PM

    Excellent tribute! The veterans deserve to be remembered and honored today.

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20. 
    Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being RudriMay 30, 2011 10:33 PM

    Wonderful and poignant tribute. Thanks for the reminder Ayala!

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21. 
    Mama ZenMay 31, 2011 8:13 AM

    Beautiful.

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22. 
    ayalaMay 31, 2011 8:45 AM

    Rachel,thank you. And yes...yes..yes!

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23. 
    ayalaMay 31, 2011 8:45 AM

    Thank you, Rudri.

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24. 
    ayalaMay 31, 2011 8:46 AM

    Thank you, Mama Zen.

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25. 
    LolamouseMay 31, 2011 11:55 AM

    Great tribute. Thank you for sharing.

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26. 
    ayalaMay 31, 2011 2:45 PM

    Thank you, Lolamouse.

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    I am posting the poem I wrote for Memorial Day last year. In my heart I will always remember this day with gratitude for all those heroes. I will always remember the picture above of my little boy at Arlington Cemetery and how moved we were to be there and honor those that gave their life for our country and our freedom.