ONE DAY

One day a year we stop to think

Of all the loved ones we have lost.

We have parades,

and wave some flags,

And think of wars gone by.

We stand in graveyards

with the rest,

And we may even cry.

The bugle sounds

as taps is played;

And then the honor guards salute.

Another day has come and gone;

And the bugle now is mute.

The little flags will wave again;

In just another year.

How many more will bleed and die;

And then lie here so still.

Not telling of the pain they felt;

Upon some distant hill.

We must remember all year long;

Not just one single day.

We must remember

throughout the year;

Not just Memorial Day.

By: LCDR Bob Prinselaar

We urge all Americans to fly an American flag at half-staff on Monday, May 25, 2009 in honor of Memorial Day. According to U.S. Flag Code, the United States flag should be hoisted to the top of a flagpole for an instant and then lowered to half-staff until noon, before being returned to the top of the staff for the rest of the day. Those without a vertical flagpole may affix a black mourning bow to their home flag kits instead of lowering the flag.

"Memorial Day is a time for us to honor and give thanks to the brave men and women of our armed forces who continue to risk their lives -- sometimes paying the ultimate price -- in order to ensure the peace and prosperity of their fellow Americans. We want to make sure that our veterans, our troops and their families see a flag flying proudly on every home and business in America and understand the true depth of our gratitude."