Decoration Day
We called it Decoration Day
When I was just a kid
And up ‘til now, I never knew
Exactly why we did.
I always thought that it referred
To stripes that soldiers earned
Or stars and bars for officers,
But that’s not what I learned.
I googled it to double-check
And found out I was wrong.
The “decorations” were for graves
And have been all along.
For each serviceman who fought
And lost his life in sacrifice,
Just a marker on his resting place
Would simply not suffice.
So as tribute and remembrance,
With a flag or a bouquet,
We should beautify a soldier’s grave
On Decoration Day.
No matter what you call it,
When our flag is flown half-mast,
Take a moment for reflection
On our soldiers who have passed.
Copyright © Ilene Bauer | Year Posted 2014
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