Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Veteran's Day 2009



Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep

I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow

I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain

When you awaken in the mornings hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night

Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die.



The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918
The day The War to End All Wars ended.


In Flanders fields the poppies blow
between the crosses row on row
that mark our place; and in the sky
Scarce heard among the guns below

We are the dead.  Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset go
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields

Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from falling hands we throw
the torch - be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die
we shall not sleep, though
poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

I don't know how many more, if any, Veteran's Days I will be able to share with my father. Our WWII Veterans are dying at a rapid rate. To all Veterans, especially those of the Greatest Generation, Thank you. And Dad, I love you.

If only it really had been the war to end all wars................

29 comments:

Big City, Small Minds said...

What a beautiful tribute to veterans and to your dad. My dad was also a veteran -- he fought in WWII, Korea and Vietnam -- and I lost him in 1980. Enjoy your time!
Blessings,
Dorothy (aka Mom)

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

A PAWESOME post....

Your last line says it all...

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Karen Jo said...

A wonderful post for all our veterans. My father didn't fight in WWII, but he helped build the bombers. I lost him in 1995.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

a beautiful post! did mommy help?

smiles, auntie bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Gemini and Ichiro said...

Amen.

Motor Home Cats said...

We miss living with our own veteran (our Papa). We are going to call him and meow our thanks at him.

We also want to thank you for your purrs and your condolences. We are sure that it helped Jade's journey over the bridge to be a peaceful one.


Tavi, Cody, Camie, Gracie and our Mom ~ Tara

Elin said...

Impressive =)

Anonymous said...

A very beautiful post and we join you in Remembrance of all those who so bravely gave of themselves for our Freedom.

Milo and Alfie xx

The Creek Cats said...

Wonderful post! Happy Veteran's Day!

Ariel said...

Beautiful Post and tribute to your dad...Hugs

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

That was a lovely post to your dad and all the Veterans.

Sweet Purrfections said...

That was a very lovely post. I am so thankful to all of those that have served.

Angel Gracie=^o.o^= said...

Through the tears the mom is typing for me. What a beautiful tribute to all who have served our great country. Some have paid the ultimate price so me may enjoy our freedoms every day in our great country. To those past, present, man, or woman I say from the bottom of my heart thank you.

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

That is a very nice tribute.
--JB

The Island Cats said...

Happy Veterans Day! Give your dad a hug from us for his service to our country!

JC said...

I liked those poems ...

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Mary
What a beautiful tribute to all veterans including your Dad. My Dad too served in WWII and I have to wonder how many more Veteran's Days we have to share as well.
Debra

purrs and nosekisses to Sammy from Abby

Sunny,Scooter, (sometimes Jamie) said...

God Bless all our veterans, past and present. I miss my dad every day and it has been 11 1/2 yrs. He fought in 3 wars and loved his country.
Jamie & the Texas Sundogs

Sunny,Scooter, (sometimes Jamie) said...

pee ess Jamie here. If I could, I'd hug my Dad sooo tight. So while you can....

Jans Funny Farm said...

Well said!

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

Wonderful tribute!

The Florida Furkids said...

Beautiful post. We're remembering too. Our Grandpa was a WWII veteran.

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

Robyn and The (Mostly) Badass Cat said...

Happy Veteran's Day to yore grampie and to alla yall.

Purrrrrrrs n nosekissies to my handsum boyfriendcat Miles,
yore girlfriendcat Sanjee

SASS....Sammy Andy Shelly Sierra said...

What a wonderful post....thank you.

xxxxxxx

Daisy said...

That was very lovely. I hope you still have many more years with your father.

Ivan from WMD said...

What a special tribute. We hope you have lots more years with your dad. My mom's dad was a WWII and Korean War vet...we wish it had been the war to end all wars, too.

Myst and Blackie said...

Lovely tribute... MeezerMom, we hope you enjoy all your time with your Dad.

GLOGIRLY said...

What a beautiful and moving post. You are wise to cherish every day you have with your dad. I lost my dad just a few years ago. He was a US Marine and served on Iwo Jima. It's days like today that I'm so proud of him and all the men and women that have followed. He will always be my hero.

Glogirly

Charlemagne and Tamar said...

Such a nice tribute! We are so thankful for those good people who have served to protect us and our people.

Charlemagne and Tamar

Good bye my sweet Nicky

 Good bye my sweet sweet Nicky.  You has a hard time sometimes with your brain injury, but you were always so sweet.  I love you to the moon...