Flags a flyin’

in a Memorial Day Breeze

All these people died

so others might be free

A Daddy of mine

I never met

But through that longing

I’ll never forget

He gave his life

for this country of mine

A flag and photos

are the ties that bind

I have no memories

of him at all

Before my birth

he got God’s call

My mother’s life

shattered to bits

The dreams and promises

no longer fit

Her husband dead

their child yet unborn

Made a young woman’s heart

old, tired, and worn

But life goes on

and so do we

Our soldiers still fight

so others might be free

Spouses remarry

and children grow up

Memorial Day comes round

and feelings erupt

Thoughts of the loved one

whose life has passed

Thoughts of ourselves

and the heartache that lasts

The pain is lessened

by the flying of the flag

For it symbolizes the integrity

of people like my Dad

Our nation asked

for helping hands

To fight for freedom

in some far off lands

Many have answered

our Country’s call

Many served, many returned

and many did fall

We gather to honor

the lives of the brave

And o’er this land of the free

our flag still waves

We remember, we salute

we wonder, we cry

We thank them for their service

and again say goodbye

Flags a flyin’

in a Memorial Day breeze

All these people died

so others might be free

Dedicated to my father, Sergeant Robert Joseph Brett

Written on Memorial Day, 1996 by Geneva Marie Brett

Last Updated 11/08/01