Memorial Day

Marines in dress uniform lead the parade
Senior citizens seek shelter in the shade
Scouts march in step along with high school bands
City officials greet the public in the reviewing stands.
Just across the way among the flag-waving public stage
Stands an old veteran, stooped and bearing the burden of age
Suddenly he stands erect, his right hand raised in salute
As Old Glory passes, he offers his valiant tribute.
His left hand whisks away a tear from his eye
as he recalls those to whom he never said “Goodbye.”

From Flanders Field where the poppies grow
To Arlington, its pristine white crosses row upon row
From the flag raised at Mt. Suribachi to the jungles of Vietnam
Soldiers remembered as they went to fight for Uncle Sam.
To Normandy where the sea peacefully laps at the shore
The muted sound of cannon fire and battle cries still roar.
To the peaceful quiet of the family plot.
Not one fallen soldier should ever be forgot.

We are all diminished by their deaths
Yet encouraged by their courage and depth.

Officials in Washington roll the dice
Our young citizens pledge their lives to sacrifice.
A Day to remember all those lost to war.
How many more wars before we settle the score?
How many more flag-draped coffins will we solemnly greet?
How many more families destined to be incomplete?

Memorial Day is a time here in the present to dwell on the past,
Not just for parades and picnics, but to search for Peace
and a way to make it last.
Thanksgiving is a day when we pause
to give thanksgiving for the things we have.
Memorial Day is a day when we pause
to give thanks to the people
who fought for the things we have.

Picture of Joan M. Lacombe

Joan M. Lacombe

Aiken’s Poet Laureate 2019
Picture of Joan M. Lacombe

Joan M. Lacombe

Aiken’s Poet Laureate 2019

In the know

Related Stories

Thank you, 2020 Palmetto Bella

Thank you, 2020

OK, OK — I know what the title looks like, but hear me out. Trust me — I was cursing 2020 just as much as the next person a couple months ago, but not anymore. If anything, 2020 has taught me that life is going to take you where you are supposed to go, one way or another. It took me some time, but now I am able to look back on 2020, and I am so grateful for the year. I had a tough first semester of college. Let’s be honest — I had a tough 2020 like everyone else — but it took my first semester of college

Read More »
pink girl

New Year, New Me

You are not doing this for anyone else — you are doing it for yourself. New year, new me. That’s what we all say, right? Well, this year, instead of thinking we are just going to achieve our goals miraculously, why not make this year a little different and make plans for how we will reach our goals. I’m all for shooting high with our goals for 2021 and making it the best year ever. But the only way we can get there is through planning and the motivation and willpower to keep moving forward. First you have to decide what the end goal is. And you have to have

Read More »
An Interview with Chris Najmola | From the Kitchen of Fuse Aiken | Palmetto Bella

An Interview with Chris Najmola | From the Kitchen of Fuse Aiken

Chris Najmola, why be a restaurant owner? It’s just been a lifelong love story with food and its ability to bring people together and make them happy. The first time a server came back to the kitchen to tell me how much the guests enjoyed food I had prepared, I knew that this life, as crazy as it is, was the life for me. 20 years later I still get the same satisfaction every time. Being the guy, professionally or otherwise, who cooks the food for a gathering, is just something that I find extremely rewarding. We all have our parts to play in this life, and I guess being

Read More »
Scotch Cocktails | Lux Libations | Palmetto Bella

Scotch Cocktails | Lux Libations

At least 2020 is behind us. It’s hard to imagine a more absurd year than we just had.  Usually around this time I like to sit around and reflect on the happenings of the last 12 months, but let’s not spend too much time thinking about all that nonsense, unless you were really into binge watching Netflix or working from home in your PJs for months on end. Let’s look forward together. The first part of 2021 may still be hard, but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Rather than getting upset about missing out on big holiday gatherings, Super Bowl parties, and other

Read More »