It Ain't...

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It ain't about your picnics, 

Not your bash-out barbecues. 

It ain't about your Stars and Stripes, 

Or your red and white and blues. 

It ain't about your big parades, 

It ain't even 'bout the flag. 

No, Memorial Day ain't a day

Of which anyone can brag. 

Yes Memorial Day is a holiday,

But that does not suffice. 

It's a time to honor all the lives

That paid the highest price. 

To remember all the heartbeats

That stopped right in their prime. 

To honor all the fallen,

That stood for us over time. 

To remember every patriot. 

The first ones to take up arms. 

For every soldier that ever stood,

Between us and harm. 

When they fell on the battlefield,

When their life-blood stained the ground. 

They proved duds didn't matter-

Blue, grey, green, or brown. 

Through all the wars we've been in,

Through every battle fought,

They proved freedom isn't free

And it's never fully bought. 

Each bead of sweat sustained it. 

Each drop of blood ensured. 

And with every life laid down,

Your freedom is secured. 

Honor those that fell for you, thank a veteran.