I remember as a boy scout
marching in Memorial Day parades
we were not selling anything
nor were we glorifying war
we were learning its horrors

We just marched through
the streets of my hometown
shoes polished and uniforms pristine
honoring fallen soldiers

Today I saw Memorial Day sales
wondering at their true meaning
watching ghouls selling anything
they can get their hands on

Maybe Boeing has fighter jets on sale
for the weekend and you can roll
on in and take a test drive
bring your pilot’s license
and proper insurance coverage
of course

Maybe the Lockheed Martin Corporation
or the Raytheon Company
has their guided missiles on sale
bogo buy one missile
get a second missile free
two missiles for the price of one

I can see the commercials now
with some militaristic Cal Worthington
who hawked cars for a living
selling tanks and munitions
at Memorial Day discounts

What kind of commercials
bask in the memories of the fallen
This is not a day to celebrate
it is a day of mourning
and pledging allegiance
not just to flags
but to men and women
who gallantly performed
their duties until death do us part

This is not a day of celebration
but a day of expressing grief and sorrow
a day to ruminate about the horrors of war
and give thanks to the brave and willing

It is a day to memorialize—Memorial Day