Memorial Day Reflections

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Poetry

Dear Friends,

I hope you’re doing well! We’re enjoying our last weekend with our son before he returns to CO. I’ll try to contain the tears, but I have a feeling they’ll be the winners. The visit has been wonderful, but we raise our children to fly from the nest, to create their own lives, and ours have done just that to make us proud. Sigh.

On another note, I’ve renovated my blog, so if you notice, let me know what you think. Or if you have ideas to make it look better, please share them. I’m no webmaster! My goal was to create an author page with my blog as a separate tab. I did it, but it wasn’t an easy task. Thanks to the Gremlins for taking a lunch break while I diligently worked and followed directions online. 🙂 And if you check out my home page, feel free to click on the ‘like’ button. ❤️

And lastly, a long weekend in the U.S. arrives but not without a high price…

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I AM A VETERAN

by Andrea Christensen Brett

 You may not know me the first time we meet 
I’m just another you see on the street
But I am the reason you walk and breathe free 
I am the reason for your liberty

I AM A VETERAN

I work in the local factory all day
I own the restaurant just down the way
I sell you insurance, I start your IV
I’ve got the best-looking grandkids you’ll ever see

I’m your grocer, your banker
Your child’s schoolteacher
I’m your plumber, your barber
Your family’s preacher
But there’s part of me you don’t know very well
Just listen a moment, I’ve a story to tell

I AM A VETERAN

I joined the service while still in my teens
I traded my prom dress for camouflage greens
I’m the first in my family to do something like this
I followed my father, like he followed his

Defying my fears and hiding my doubt
I married my sweetheart before I shipped out
I missed Christmas, then Easter
The birth of my son
But I knew I was doing what had to be done

I served on the battlefront, I served on the base
I bound up the wounded
And begged for God’s grace
I gave orders to fire, I followed commands
I marched into conflict in far distant lands

In the jungle, the desert, on mountains and shores
In bunkers, in tents, on dank earthen floors
While I fought on the ground, in the air, on the sea
My family and friends were home praying for me

For the land of the free and the home of the brave
I faced my demons in foxholes and caves
Then one dreaded day, without drummer or fife   
I lost an arm, my buddy lost his life

I came home and moved on
But forever was changed
The perils of war in my memory remained
I don’t really say much, I don’t feel like I can
But I left home a child, and came home a man

There are thousands like me
Thousands more who are gone
But their legacy lives as time marches on
White crosses in rows
And names carved in queue
Remind us of what these brave souls had to do 

I’m part of a fellowship, a strong mighty band
Of each man and each woman
Who has served this great land
And when Old Glory waves
I stand proud, I stand tall                     
I helped keep her flying over you, over all

 I AM A VETERAN

© Andrea Christensen Brett

“Veterans are true American Idols.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase your
copy through Amazon. And a friendly nudge
to share a review online if you loved Cora’s Quest.
Thanks so much! 💜

I don’t know about you, but to me, this poem is moving beyond words. 💜

Thank you for stopping by, and I wish you all a safe Memorial Day Weekend. ❤️🇺🇸


90 thoughts on “Memorial Day Reflections”

  2. I agree Lauren, the poem is very moving. It’s perfect for this long weekend’s remembrance.

    Congratulations for figuring how to do a Front page, and then the blog in the menu. It’s a nice professional touch. I’m sure you will change/update, every so often. Having said that, it’s time to update mine!

    Enjoy your weekend with your son!

    …and “don’t let the sun catch you crying!”

    x❦🌹❦o

    Reply

    1. I’m glad you agree with me about the poem, Resa. And thanks regarding my blog renovation. I’m sure it’ll be a work in progress, but I’m happy with the changes. A friend suggested that I try Substack, but I have a great circle of friends here on WP, so I’m not sure how that work. I’m not ready for that big of a change.

      As to the tears, the sun won’t see my cry because I’ll be inside the house! LOL It’s inevitable. I hate living so far away from them, but it is what it is for now. Hopefully, the distance will lessen in the near future. Hugs and have a good weekend. xoxo

      Reply

      1. Aww, I do hope the distance will lessen in time to come!!!
        Substack….. hmm… I signed up for 1 email newsletter, and now I get LOTS of them. They are all political and/or legal opinions.

        I’m not sure about books on Substack, or networking.
        I’m happy here too, so I leave it at that. I did quit my X account, and started one on BlueSky.
        There’s a lot of creatives on Bsky, but LOTS of politics as well. I’d like to find one that more creatives. Seems WP is one of the best platform for creatives,
        xox 💜 oxo

    1. It’s nice to know that you can relate, Sheila, and how lucky for you now! I don’t expect to live next door, but a short drive away would be nicer than traveling by air. 🙂 Hopefully, things will change soon. And I’m glad you love the poem. Enjoy your weekend.

      Reply

  4. What a lovely poetry choice! We do not treat our Veterans with the honor they deserve- and it sickens me. Thank you for bringing this fact into the spotlight with this wonderful post.

    Reply

  9. I love your blog new look! Beautiful work! Good to hear that the Gremlins took a break! Moving poem.

    Enjoy a wonderful weekend, my dear friend!

    ps. Tears are always the winners in such cases! 😉

    Reply

    1. Aww, thanks, Marina! I appreciate your vote of confidence because web design is not my forte. 🙂 I’m so glad the Gremlins took a break as I held my breath along the way! Have a good weekend too, and if the tears win, so be it. It definitely won’t be the first time, nor the last. 😂 Hugs and love to you, dear friend. ❤️🌻

      Reply

      2. Yep, they won, but I’m okay. It’s not so much ‘the leaving’ as it is not being able to see the kids as much as we’d like. Hopefully someday though. Hugs for a good week, dear friend! xoxoxoxoxox

    1. It sure does, Elizabeth. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but fear has kept me from making a move. I finally carved out some time to simply sit and play around with it, while reading directions online. And holding my breath. LOL I’m happy with it. Since I’ve been blogging for 14 years, I felt the change was needed – call it ‘blog botox’ 😂 (though I’m not an advocate for botox)! I’m glad you enjoyed the photo and poem. Enjoy your weekend.

      Reply

      1. Good for you to do that! I’m playing around with Photoshop which I’m supposed to know by the time my Photography workshop begins in September. I may look at ideas for the blog after I figure out PS.

  13. Enjoy your last moments with your son! It’s always bitter sweet. Love the poem!
    Looks great but I’m not sure I can tell the change but then again, I’m
    not a good judge of character.
    🩷

    Reply

    1. Thanks on all counts, Cindy! I created a home page for an author page, then made my blog separate. I also edited my bio and named it Bio instead of About Me, but that’s minor. The big change was creating an author page to be separate from my blog. I learned about this at the conference but was too chicken to make changes. LOL Enjoy your weekend, my friend 💞

      Reply

  15. you’re so brave to redo your page, Lauren. it’s something I’ve thought about from time to time, but tech is such a huge challenge for me that I’ve just left it as is, other than changing my profile picture twice in 12 years. ) it’s very hard to see our grown children come and go, no matter how long we are reunited, it never changes, even though we are happy for them to have grown and found their independence, we also long to have them near. one of the hardest parts of being a parent. this is a beautiful and absolutely heartbreaking poem that you’ve shared today and reminds us of the sacrifices of so many, so that we could live free, we must never forget them.

    Reply

    1. I’ve been like you, Beth, but after attending the conference in February, I felt inspired. However, fear kept me from doing anything sooner. I was afraid I’d mess up the whole blog. Yeah, tech stuff is challenging for me too, so I hear ya! 🙂 But if I can do it then you can too!

      As to the kids, I agree, letting them go and only seeing them a few times a year is the hardest thing to do. My heart still breaks because I (and Matt) only get one trip around the sun. I’m hoping the distance will lessen in the near future. We plan to move when we retire, planning on next year, so there’s a lot to consider. Until then, we all fly east and west, chat on the phone, and text!

      I’m glad the poem had the same affect on you. When I first read it, I got goosebumps. Thanks for your wonderful words. ❤️

      Reply

      1. okay, well thanks for your words of support and like you, I fear I’ll lose the whole things, so I’m just going to have to jump in and do it one day! and good news about next year, hopefully you’ll be a bit closer –

      2. You’re welcome, and jump in! I know you can do it! I just had to carve out some time where I wasn’t in a hurry and could focus only on accomplishing that task. I made a list of to-do things about writing and it’s 20 items long. Most are checked off, but I had so many ‘balls in the air’ that I felt overwhelmed. So the list helped. Anyway, yes, hopefully next year…have a good weekend. 💕

  16. Thank you for posting this touching poem, Lauren! I’m glad your son came home to spend time with you. Enjoy this weekend before he returns. You did a great job creating a home page for your author page. It looks great!

    Reply

    1. I’m glad you liked the poem too, Miriam, and thanks for your wishes regarding our son. And for your kind words about my home page. I just added a like button, so feel free to ‘like’ it when you have time. Enjoy your weekend. 💕

      Reply

      1. I have friends and friends’ families who are veterans. Too many stories so I resonate with the poem. Sure, I’ll go back to your home page and click like. 😍

      4. My husband’s brother was on the restructuring team for Iraq when the war was over. He retired and returned home. His replacement was struck and killed less than a week on the job.

  20. petespringer's avatar petespringerauthor

    Wow! That poem is amazing!

    It’s the best feeling to see our children as adults and see that they’ve turned into incredible humans. Well done to your children as well as you and your husband.

    I like the changes you’ve made to your blog. I’m way overdue.

    Reply

    1. I’m glad you agree about the poem, Pete, and thanks for your kind words about our children and my blog. I’m so proud of myself for finally trying, and then so happy that it worked. 😊
      Enjoy your weekend!

      Reply

  24. The new website layout looks professional, Lauren. I love it. I’m still even learning to update mine. I want to look it professional like yours. Also, the poem is heart-touching.

    Reply

  32. The poem is very touching and a lovely tribute to our veterans. Thank you for sharing it, Lauren.

    I’m glad you were able to spend time with your son, and good luck with the goodbyes.

    Your Home page is excellent, and kudos to you for your accomplishment. I revamped my blog yesterday, and what a chore, but every now then blogs need to be refreshed.

    Have a wonderful week ahead. 💖

    Reply

    1. I’m glad you liked the poem too, Eugi. I got goosebumps when I first read it. We had a great visit with our son, and he left an hour ago. I’m still emotional, but I’ll be fine. I thought it would get easier, but I feel like it only gets harder. Hopefully, someday, the distance won’t be as wide a gap.

      Thanks about my Home page too. I just made some minor changes again. I didn’t like the bold and the center alignment. 🙂 I visited your blog earlier and love the new look too. And I agree that now and then, our blogs should be refreshed.

      Wishing you the same, my friend. 💞🌷

      Reply

  33. What a beautiful and indeed moving poem Lauren. Thank you for sharing it and thanks to all the men and women who gave their lives or part of it so we could live free.

    Enjoy the last days with your son – it’s always hard to see them go, even if we know it’s life.

    Sending hugs for a sweet week.

    Reply

    1. I’m glad you liked the poem too, Marie. Thanks for your kind words. Our son left a couple of hours ago and tears found their freedom. But it’s not about him leaving, it’s that our kids live far away, so we only see them a few times a year. I thought it would get easier, but it only gets harder. Hopefully, the distance will lessen in the near future. I appreciate the hugs. Love and hugs to you for a great week also. 🌷

      Reply

  34. Your poem gave me goosebumps Lauren. And I do like your new blog layout. It’s much more ‘crisper’ to read through. I hope you had a wonderful Memorial weekend. Hugs ❤ xx

    Reply

    1. I got them too, Debby, when I first read it. And thanks for your kind words about my blog renovation. I wanted an author page separate from my blog. So thankful the Gremlins took a break while I worked. 🙂 The weekend was nice, so now back to work. Have a good week! Hugs back xoxo

      Reply

      1. Thanks Lauren. I clicked on your static author page and ‘liked’. I know how much work it is for us writers to bother with the technicalities of behind the curtain of the blog. It’s my achilles heel, so nothing changes until a code savvy writing pal offers to redecorate, lol. Hugs xox

      2. Thanks for ‘liking’ my page, Debby. I think I held my breath while making the changes. It’s so frustrating when things don’t work, so when they did, I was shocked and thrilled. 😄 I don’t have anyone to do it for me, so I’m learning along the way. But anything more complicated, I’d have to hire a pro. Hugs, my friend 🥰

  35. Dearest Lauren, I hope you had a lovely Memorial weekend. Hugs for you and Matt as your son returns to his home. The Veterans Poem is beautiful and touched me deeply. I have left a comment about your lovey new web layout and Bio on your Bio page. Much love to you and Matt. Xxxx 🩷🌸🦄🩷

    Reply

    1. Hi Jane, the weekend was great, and our son is on his way. He arrived safely at the hotel last night and will arrive in CO. today in the early evening. The tears won, but I’m okay. Sigh. I’m so glad you liked the poem too. It gave me goosebumps and is such a perfect poem to honor our Veterans. I just replied to your comment on my bio and thanks again! You rock, my friend! I appreciate you and our friendship so much! Hugs and love to you and Tim also! xoxoxo 🥰💕🌻

      Reply

Leave a reply to Annette Rochelle Aben Cancel reply