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A Memorial Day Poem: The following poem was written by Marine Corps veteran and cookie crumb supporter, Nick Nicotero. Nick read his poem at the 2017 Memorial Day service. (He’s been leading the service for about ten years)
We Appreciate Our Freedom
We appreciate our freedom is why we’re here today.
“We appreciate our freedom” is what we came to say.
To keep alive the memories of tears that have been cried,
And keep alive the memories of those who served and died.
We remember on this day each year the costly debt they paid,
And remember, too, their families and the sacrifice they made.
To send a loved one off to war is the the hardest thing to do,
Hoping every day and night that they’ll come home to you.
We appreciate our freedom as we see our flag fly high,
Sorry that for our freedom someone had to die.
Freedom should be for everyone, no matter where they live,
Freedom across the earth if people would live and let live.
We pray for the time when war will be no more,
And thankful when our loved ones will walk back through that door.
We appreciate our freedom is why we’re here today.
“We appreciate our freedom” is what we came to say.
Nick's 2015 Memorial Day Poem:
Nick wrote: “It was inspired by a 94 year old Vet who was able to attend this year in his wheelchair. It is written from his story and photos I saw of him when he was in the Army Air Force. His girl waited three years for him and they wed two days after his discharge. He is an awesome man. Sadly his wife passed a few years ago.”
If Something Happens To Me
If something happens to me don’t toss my things away.
Someone might want to see them on far and a distant day.
They can see the photos of me when I was young and strong.
In the best shape of my life and nothing could go wrong.
To look into my eyes they’ll see the day I posed there, feeling mighty good.
While the medals on my chest show I did the best I could.
There’s a few of me and my buddies after work was done.
Tipping back a cold one to have a little fun.
My favorite one of all, I guess I’d have to say
Is the photo of me and a girl on a golden Summer day.
I have my arms around her, her hands are holding mine.
Me standing proud in uniform and her in a dress so fine.
Whoever took that photo I’m sure they had no clue
That she’d be sticking with me no matter what I had to do.
I had to go away from her throughout my service years
But that girl was always faithful after shedding goodbye tears.
It’s sad that I don’t have the one I always carried.
I’d look at it for hours and dream that we’d be married.
I’d have it right there with me each time I’d write a letter.
And look at her with love, and dream of times that were better.
Dreams came true for us when my service time was done,
And a just a few short days later two lives had become one.
Now I look back at those photos with so many years gone by
And see a guy so lucky to have caught this young girl’s eye.
So, if something happens to me don’t toss my things away.
Someone might want to see them on a far and distant day.
Nick's 2016 Memorial Day Poem:
Dear Mom and Dad,
I have to tell you something that I know will make you nervous.
I’ve given this a lot of thought… and I’m going to join the Service.
Dad, you served… and so did Grandpa Jim.
Now I will serve my country, just like you and him.
Mom, for you I know this must be scary,
But I remember how proud you were when home came Uncle Larry.
He sat there in his uniform looking straight and tall.
And told each of us how proud he was to answer his country’s call.
He had left a boy, came back a man… glad that he had went.
And now he was totally ready to give one hundred and ten percent.
I sat there for the longest time and thought about what our country means to me.
And now I know I’ll do my part to help us all stay free.
I don’t want you worry, or fret and cry at night.
I’ll miss you, too, but you have to know that I will be all right.
I’ll leave a boy, come back a man… standing straight and tall.
And tell you all how proud I am to answer my country’s call.
Nick
Nick's 2014 Memorial Day Poem:
We Remember
We dedicate this day to you…
For what you did for the Red, White and Blue.
You were so young and it took such great nerve
the day you decided you’d sign-up and serve.
Mother she cried and Dad swelled up with pride,
feeling the fears that he’d have to hide.
See, Dad was a veteran and he knew far too well
that serving in war-time could really be hell.
Things you would see and things you would do,
if God helped you survive, would forever change you.
Letters you wrote them never would say
the horrors that you had to face each day.
You’d tell them instead of the people you came to free
and how good their life would someday be.
Then came the orders to capture the hill
and you took three hot bullets shielding Bill.
He was your buddy and you did what you had to do
for a fellow soldier who’d do it for you.
When the folks got the message of what you had done
they said it sounded so much like their son.
They knew all along you’d do what you had to do
since the day you left home for the Red, White and Blue.
We gather here to thank you in our humble way
just like every Memorial Day.
We thank every one who had the great nerve
to leave their folks…and signed up to serve.
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