Memorial day

It's memorial day weekend. Don't forget why many of us have a day off, or why the Flag is flown at half 'till noon and then raised to full. I offer a gentle reminder:

Sunrise Reveille Time for colors.
The sky is red as stained with blood
The trumpet sounds all eyes lift up
Salute is due the flag is raised

Quick and crisp it climbs the mast
It’s colors bright and proud
Then it dips so slowly down
Half way down it halts

For those who died in battle
For those who gave their all
That we might live in peace
They died that we might live

Hours pass till noontime bells
The sky is blue and bright as honor
The Guard does form and march
To raise the flag to height

They raise the flag to honor those
Who fought for freedoms right
The ones who made it back again
With memories of the fight

Some walk some limp some roll
They have come home from war
They morn their fallen family
They gave that we might live

The day draws on and 8 bells sound
The shadows have grown long
The Anthem sounds it is retreat
The Guard is there again

With reverent hands and hearts
They lower down the flag
They fold it very carefully
They understand the cost

Sunset Taps Time to turn in
The final note from the brass
Reminding us once more
Sacrifice was made for us

That we must remember