Standing When They Passed – v4

Rising as they approached

the girls and I

like the others

on the parade route

seated on the curb,

some in lawn chairs

as the bands marched by

Rising from our seats

a simple gesture, thanks,

standing when they passed

the ones who fought for us

who served when they were called

carrying our country’s colors

for which so many paid the price

Applauding as they walked by

stopping to honor

those who fought and died

buried in some foreign grave

for our freedoms still

those who came home again

and those fighting for us now.

---

edited November 11, 2014

Standing When They Passed – v4

edited May 24, 2014

Standing When They Passed – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/05/standing-when-they-passed-v3.html

edited May 30, 2011

Standing When They Passed – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/standing-when-they-passed-v2.html

Memorial Day 2011

May 31, 2010

Standing When They Passed

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/05/standing-when-they-passed.html
Memorial Day
Memorial Day Parade
Manchester, NH
and
Talk of the Nation on NHPR
http://www.npr.org/blogs/talk/2010/05/31/127294748/memorial-day-remembrances

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 33,480+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.