With Memorial Day coming up my Color Guard crew steps into high gear for the summer season. I do a lot of research for ceremonies to help out the people we work with. I also find it very enjoyable to study the history of what has come before.

Here is a poem that I came across in my research that makes me think a lot about those we still have out in harms way and really captures the meaning:

Written and performed by Harry Newman
Copyright 2004 - Harry Newman

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On her amber waves of grain
Across Her purple mountains and on Her fruited plains
In the stillness of Her shining sea,
We will rest your legacy.

And in each waking moment by the dawns early light,
We will remember the reason you died.
And we will always marvel at the courage you've shown,
You've risen with the fallen - and now we know...

That we still have heroes with patriot pride
For the cause of freedom, they'd lay down their lives
The land of the free is our anthem today,
Cause' we still have heroes in the home of the brave.

There's a comfort through the pain,
Knowing that our loss is still our greatest gain.
Our defender of this liberty,
You're the reason we can sing...

"Oh beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life".
And that's the kind of love you've shown - Yes, that's your legacy.
We will not forget you - You've led us to believe...
That we still have heroes

Edit: Here's the site I found it on with a lot of other moving pieces- http://militarysalute.proboards45.com/index.cgi?board=aftributes

http://home.att.net/~condocat/pics/chair.jpg

Jim,

Nice poem!

I've served on hundreds of color guard details... I had fun with it.

Ya' know, I've seen this picture of the man standing from a wheelchair many times, but never before did I notice what I just noticed.

That photo shows tracks in the street. The only city in this country with street cars that I'm familiar with is San Francisco. Now..., why am I not surprised that no one else is standing to honor the flag or our brave Marines?

Go figure...

I about a year’s time my crew will do about 5 parades and this is common, unfortunately. I've seen people wearing Iraqi Freedom Veteran ball caps sitting on the side of the road during the Dallas Veteran’s Day parade, I've seen mother make their kids sit down and behave during the Arlington 4th of July, etc. Unfortunately disregard is wide spread. It isn't limited to the younger people either.

The main reason I'm in a color guard is to help bring back respect for the flag & country. Part of the Arlington 4th of July Parade is the singing of the National Anthem. Something like 75% of the people in this country don't even know the words to it, really sad there.

Jim

P.S. - Sorry about the whine session