A 12-Year Old's "Remembrance" On Memorial Day

Remembrance
As we gaze across the rows of crosses,
We think of the young lives and all of their losses.
To never see the sun rise once more,
Their hearts are like a closed door.
The flags were raised.
And the bugles played.
The ever stillness,
Of the families that are motionless.
The gratitude of a nation.
Gives such a sensation,
Everyone with nothing to say,
On Memorial Day

This poem was written by Jack Kaiser, 12, a seventh grader at the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School in Killingworth, CT.

Jack's class had an assignment to write a poem about the meaning of Memorial Day. He developed the poem on his own without any help from anyone.

Jack said he knows that his grandfather, Don Kaiser of Clinton, is a veteran and was an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1960s.  

Jack said he asked a few people why they thought Memorial Day was celebrated and what it represented. He was also a little puzzled at "what does one say" to others on this day. He felt that most people don't say anything because they just don't know what to say unless their family or friends lost someone in a war.

For veterans, Jack felt that one could say "thank you" for serving our country in the service.

For those who gave their lives, we can only say a silent prayer, knowing that we have freedom because of them.