But today is a day when we remember those who didn't come home, and their families who waited forever. It always seems strange when someone wishes me a "Happy Memorial Day". It's a nice sentiment, but today we're surrounded by ghosts.
Not forgotten, but gone.
Today is the traditional start of summer, celebrated at barbecues from sea to shining sea. And that's OK - I don't think that the ghosts among us would begrudge us our celebration with our families. Just remember to hold up a beer for the ones that didn't make it home.
The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home (Songwriters: Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, and Jeremy Stover)
Tour was up, middle of June
She was planning a welcome home barbeque
Green bean casserole, Grandma's recipe
There was a knock on the door 'round two o'clock
Two uniforms and her heart stopped
Yellow ribbon 'round an oak tree
Blowin' in the breeze
Here's to the ones that didn't make it back home
The ones we ain't seen in so long
The hold up a beer ones, the wish they were here ones
The not forgotten but gone
They're in a better place up there
But they sure left a hole down here
We just go on livin' and go on missin' the ones
The ones that didn't make it back home
The whole town shut down, the whole town showed up
Sang Amazing Grace, watched a slideshow of
His 22 years
There was laughs and there was tears
And that preacher talked about sacrifice
And traffic stopped for them Cadillac lights
Johnny sold beer half price that night
And everybody raised 'em high, singin'
Here's to the ones that didn't make it back home
The ones we ain't seen in so long
The hold up a beer ones, the wish they were here ones
The not forgotten but gone
They're in a better place up there
But they sure left a hole down here
We just go on livin' and go on missin' the ones
The ones that didn't make it back home
Back to that front porch
Back through that front door
To the life they were fightin' for
Here's to the ones that didn't make it back home
The ones we ain't seen in so long
The hold up a beer ones, the wish they were here ones
The not forgotten but gone
They're in a better place up there
But they sure left a hole down here
We just go on livin' and go on missin' the ones
The ones that didn't make it back home
The ones that didn't make it back home
5 comments:
Absent Comrades!
Hard not to get random tears in the eyes on this day.
Thanks for bringing that song to my and the rest of your readers' attention (for those who haven't heard it.)
I don't pray for the dead, but prayers for their families.
I give thanks to God for men I cannot give thanks to.
Almost a whole day with my other family. BBQ, the works. Not a single mention or thought but then I no longer fit in my blues and I don't put them on and go up to Rosecrans on this day anymore. I used to. I would find interesting things, 'oh! here is the grave of a pilot who was awarded the medal of honor.' There's no body, no casket but you wouldn't know that unless you knew he was shot down over Rabul.
It's a strange holiday. I'm just glad when people do remember their names.
I'm the Honor Guard leader for VFW Post 483, Nashua NH. Since I became the Post Armorer a few years ago, our Garands have been fully refurbished and are in excellent working order.
This year, we held Memorial Day honors at 4 local war memorials: after the wreath laying, a 3-round volley and a bugler blowing taps.
It was rainy and cold. But that's just the weather.
Our fallen deserve to be honored.
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