The Way (I Wish) We Were

They made us proud, our fighting men.
They blessed us, kept us free.
With flags and flowers, we embraced them
in sweet memory.

We honored them by closing Main Street
for the big parade.
We picnicked on their favorite foods
and drank sweet lemonade.

We sang Star Spangled Banner,
watched the boy scouts raise her high,
and pledged allegiance to this land
with nary a dry eye.

Hands over hearts and hats removed,
We heard the bugle blow
and bowed our heads for soldiers slain
that day and long ago.

At home, we flew the colors––stars
and stripes––red, white, and blue.
We reverenced every sacrifice,
made sure our kids did, too.

We took nothing for granted, not
our freedom, not our pain.
We lived the lives they fought for, swore
their death was not in vain.

Ideals were hopeful, not naïve,
and dreams were goals worth setting.
Integrity and virtue were esteemed.
Are we forgetting?

Our symbols and our ceremonies
tell us what we treasure.
The things we celebrate reveal
more truth than we can measure.