Goines On: Memorial Day

Click image for more vignettes

Goines’ eyes blinked in consternation – he thought he might have emailed a friend that, no, he had not “celebrated” Memorial Day. (His friend had inquired whether he was having beer and burgers that day.)
    Not “celebrated” Memorial Day? Had he really said that? People didn’t celebrate Memorial Day, did they? Didn’t they rather sadly remember military veterans and other lost people, places, and things? 
    Goines hadn’t even been aware that Monday was Memorial Day until he tried to call the library and was told they were closed for the holiday.

A prayer for Memorial Day

Created by altering a certain political cartoon^*

Apologies to Honest Abe

By Bob Boldt

I composed the following prayer because I have had it up to here with all of the militaristic jingoism rampant this holiday.

Tuesday Voice: Rememorial Day

Ortega on the left and me on the right;
we flank a soldier whose name I can't spell

By Ed Rogers

I come from a military family. We have had a member in every war this Nation has fought. Not bragging, just stating a fact that explains why as a child Memorial Day was special to us. I grew up on bases in Texas, Wyoming, New Mexico, Alaska, France, and California. We were stationed in some of those states more than once.

A prose poem

Battlefield

By Ed Rogers

The clouds of smoke drift on the winds of battle; the burnt rubber and fuel assault your senses like a monster from a childhood nightmare. The rubble of war machines litter the field...no longer the proud, victorious steeds that carried warriors into battle. Now, the coffins of contention lie silent.