A time for picnics, time off work -
Vacations and the "Indy" -
A holiday, too often times
We forget what, it should be.

A time to pay respect to those
Who rallied to the battle cry -
Who gave their lives for liberty -
Those freedoms for you and I.

Such a waste of brave young souls -
Some still struggling through their youth
Who faced and fell willingly
Before wartimes' awful truth.

So as we share this holiday
With our friends or family -
Take a moment to give thanks to
Those who died so we'd stay free.

Let us strive for world peace -
For the end of greed and hate -
For next time, after "the war"
It just may be too damned late.

But they have died in vain
           if we ever forget
                    the reason why.

Freedom can be like time
           slipping away
                    before we even know.

But we all have the choice
           more, a duty
                    to battle freedoms' foe.

Let us give thanks this day
           to all those brave
                    who paid the highest cost.

Not take it for granted
           and realize
                    it easily could be lost.