MEMORIAL DAY 2001

Memorial Day 2001

I drive through the gates of the cemetery

Holding the flag under which you will be buried.

I stepped out of the car that you used to own

Passed on to me, your named carved in stone.

You went off to war, known only as “Sarge”

Before leaving you told me, “Son, now you’re in charge.”

Watching you leave was so very sad

I miss you every day. I miss you very bad.

A few months after you’d gone overseas

Mom received news that dropped her to her knees.

I heard an officer tell Mom, “Not everyone died that day”

I learned then and there you were POW/MIA.

Every night, I would get on my knees and pray

Hoping against all odds that my Daddy would be OK.

As the days and months and years go by

My hope has faded, but the tears I still cry.

I’ve cried so many times, “Dad, where have you gone

How could you leave, why can’t you come home?”

America called and you had to leave

There still was so much for us to achieve.

Somehow it’s harder to end it like this

A ceremony without you. It doesn’t make sense.

You may be in Heaven, but worse things I fear

This grave is still empty, you’re not really here.

Seeing this headstone, bearing your name

I know now that my life will never be the same.

Life is so hard without you, and will only get tougher

I pray you rest easy and that you didn’t suffer.

In the very spirit of the red, white and blue

I love this country, the way you taught me to.

It had to be you, whose heart was so true

Goodbye, Daddy. I will always remember you.