Humid morning mist baptizes rural
community’s hushed burial grounds;
Church youth arise early to prepare holiday
breakfast in nearby park shelter;
Hungry celebrants line up, awaiting
warm pancakes with smoky sausage;
Friendly conversations intertwine; words
floating above steamy coffee cups;
Veterans, Boy Scouts and bicycles are
decorated to parade down Main Street;
Large multi-generational crowd gathers under
flags flying at peaceful cemetery green;
Rousing song, patriotic speech, humble prayer
offered gratefully for one nation under God;
Tearful memories stir when flags lower to solemn
sound of drum roll, taps, and twenty-one guns;
Americans honor the selfless sacrifices
of military families and our fallen heroes;
We remember that peace comes with a price,
paid in blood and bravery for our freedoms.
Salute!
a poem in my pocket 
Jun 02, 2014 @ 04:08:50
yes – peace comes with a price – i think it’s wonderful to remember those that fought for freedom..and i really like the way you celebrate it to remember
Jun 01, 2014 @ 22:50:16
There is always a price to pay –even for peace.
Jun 01, 2014 @ 22:13:31
It is so important to remember peace comes at a price. I am so well at that after having recently visited World War I cemeteries in Belgium and France! It is so easy for us to forget those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
Jun 01, 2014 @ 21:06:32
Yes, it is important to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can have the freedom we too often take for granted.
Jun 01, 2014 @ 19:59:18
I get a bit misty-eyed when I read tributes such as this since my own father was KIA WWII–I didn’t know him.Taps, 21 gun salutes, fly-overs all of these evoke so many sentiments. Beautiful and thanks for sharing.