The meaning of Memorial Day

“Many men have served God and country well in arms; they have been

valorous in battle, magnanimous in victory, patient in defeat and

capture and faithful in death.”

-- SHERWOOD ELIOT WIRT

This column appears over the Memorial Day weekend. I read that it

was originally called “Decoration Day” and was, and is still, a day

to remember those who have died while serving our country.

Apparently, there are differing stories about its true origin, as

well as assorted places that claim to be the birthplace. One source

said “While Waterloo, N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of

Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it’s difficult

to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that

it had many separate beginnings.”

There was far more information than I could sort through, though

it was interesting to me to read some of the poetry written about

Memorial Day.

I didn’t know those poets, but one poet I do know has written

countless wonderful poems about anything and everything. He has also

written a great deal of poetry about God, Memorial Day, freedom and

patriotism, and graciously agreed to let me share two of his poems

with you.

His name is Frank Carpenter, and here are the poems, and when he

says “Men,” he refers to both men and women who have served for our

nation:

SONG OF FREEDOM

Still ringing are the battle cries

of freedom from the past;

Sung out by brave young men who spilled

their blood and breathed their last;

Still waving is the flag

They proudly served and held aloft;

Yet, we must be ever wary,

Lest our resolve grows dim and soft;

Our children need to know the legacy

Of freedom which is theirs;

as the gauntlet passes on to them,

for they are freedom’s heirs;

Sons and daughters of a liberty

which was born of trial and strife;

Paid for dearly by the countless men

who gave both limb and life;

We must keep the fire burning,

May we never let it die;

So our children’s children’s children

know the sound of freedom’s cry;

It’s not enough to just be born here,

We have to guard our liberty;

And pass it on so generations

In the future will be free.

PATRIOTISM

My patriotism has never been tested,

Though I spout its rhetoric with ease;

Waging the war of words from home,

Just as courageous as you please;

Yet, I am only able to do so,

Because far better men than I

Are willing to fight for my freedom,

Brave men, who could very well die

In defense of what I believe in,

of our beloved democracy;

Theirs is the truest patriotism,

they are the pride of the land of the free;

And knowing that they are out there

in that desert, so far away

Makes me proud to be an American,

And more so than ever today.

Our heartfelt thanks to the countless numbers of you who served or

are still serving and sacrificing for God and country. Many thanks to

you, too, Frank, for sharing your beautiful and patriotic poetry with

us.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.