| Memorial Day is their day, is'nt it? It supposed to | | | | Guadal canal. They died in the ice and snow ofthe |
| bethe day a grateful nation pauses to quietly thank | | | | bulge and the vosges mountains. They were at the |
| themore than one million men and women who have | | | | sommeand san juan hill and at gettysburg and at |
| died inmilitary service to their country since the | | | | cerro gordo andat valley forge. |
| revolutionarywar. | | | | They couldn't be here with us today, but think they |
| Or is it the day the beach resorts kick into high | | | | wouldunderstand that we don't spend the day in |
| gearfor the summer season, the day the strand is | | | | tears and heart- |
| coveredby fish-belly white people basting themselves | | | | -wrenching memorials. They wouldn't want that. Grief |
| in coconutoil, the day the off season rates end and | | | | is notwhy they died. they died so we could go fishing. |
| the weekendyou can't get in a seaside seafood | | | | They diedso another father could toss a baseball to |
| restaurant with anythingless than a hour wait. | | | | his son in theirbackyard while the charcoal is getting |
| Or is it one of the biggest shopping center sales | | | | white. They died soanother buddy could drink a beer |
| dayof the year, a day when hunting for a parking | | | | on his day off. They diedso a family could get in the |
| space isthe prime sport for the holiday stay-at | | | | minivan and go shopping and maybeget some ice |
| homers? | | | | cream on the way home. They died so that the |
| Or is it the weekend when more people will kill | | | | samefamily could worship in their own way in a |
| themselveson the highways than any other weekend | | | | church of theirchoosing. |
| and highway patroltroopers work overtime picking up | | | | They won't mind that we have chosen their day to |
| the pieces? | | | | have ourfirst big outdoor party of the year. But they |
| I think the men and women who died for us would | | | | wouldn't mind,either, if we took just a few minutes |
| understandwhat we do with their day. I hope they | | | | and thought of them. |
| would, because ifthey wouldn't, if they would have | | | | Some will think of them formally, of course. Wreaths |
| insisted that it be asomber, respectful day of | | | | willbe laid in small sparsely attended ceremonies in |
| remembrance, then we have blownit and dishonored | | | | militarycemeteries and at monuments at state |
| their sacrifice. | | | | capitals and in smalltown squares. Flags will fly over |
| I knew some of those who died and the guys I | | | | the graves, patriotic wordswill be spoken and a few |
| knew wouldhave understood. | | | | people there will probably feel alittle anger that no |
| They liked a sunny beach and a cold beer and a hot | | | | more people showed up. They'll think noone else |
| babein a black bikini too. They would have enjoyed | | | | remembers. |
| packingthe kids, the inflatable rafts, the coolers, and | | | | But we do remember. we remember smitty and |
| the suntanlotion in the car and heading for the lake. | | | | chico, and daveyand the guys who died. We |
| They would haveenjoyed staying at home and | | | | remember the deal we made: if webuy it, we said, " |
| cutting the grass and gettingtogether with some | | | | Drink a Beer for Me " |
| friends and cooking some steaks on thegrill too. | | | | I'll do it for you guys. I'll drink that beer for you |
| But they didn't get the chance. They blew up in the | | | | todayand I'll sit on that beach for you, and check out |
| marinebarracks in beirut and died in the oily waters of | | | | the girlsfor you, and just briefly, I'll think of you. I |
| the persiangulf. They caught theirs at the airstrip in | | | | won't letthe memory of your tragic death spoil the |
| grenada in thelittle war everyone laughed at. They | | | | trip but you'llbe on that sunny beach with me today. |
| bought the farm in thedrang valley and on heartbreak | | | | I will not mourn your deaths this Memorial Day, my |
| ridge, phu tai and at the hue.they froze at the chosin | | | | Friends. |
| reservoir and were shot at the pusanperimeter. | | | | Rather I'll celebrate the life you gave me. |