A Memorial Day Poem



He would have been a pitcher
Playing baseball as a pro
He’d have thrown against the Yankees
Striking out fourteen in a row
Life would have been good to him
Making his living in the sun
Had the torpedo not found its mark
In December of 1941

He’d have been a very good dentist
A loving father and faithful spouse
He’d have loved to golf on weekends
And to putter around the house
His kids would have asked for peanuts
When he took them to the zoo
Had his plane not been shot down
In October of 1942

She would have been a terrific mom
To four girls and three boys
She’d have had a home in Eagle Rock
Filled with sounds of playful noise
She’d have loved and been loved
She’d have known joy and glee
Had the hospital not been bombed
In May of 1943

He’d have been a great salesman
With shined shoes and a smile
He’d have made his company a fortune
Once he’d been there for a while
Customers would have welcomed him
When he walked in the door
Had the bullet not pierced his heart
In June of 1944

He would have been a grandpa
With children on his lap
Telling stories of the old times
Before taking an afternoon nap
He’d have been a prime example
Of the joy to be alive
Had his “Victory” ship not been blown to bits
In August of 1945

These Americans didn’t go to war
With thoughts of how to die
Freedom was their sole pursuit
And “life” their battle cry
But when freedom was at risk
And Americans heard the call
They risked their lives and fortunes
And sometimes lost it all
From every walk of life they came
To pay our freedom’s price
No matter what they might have been
They made the greatest sacrifice
God bless you great Americans
On this thirtieth day of May
We decorate your graves with flags
On this Memorial Day.

-Ed Riffle