ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

As the heat of the day pours down, and the children laugh and play,

As grills sizzle with barbecue, cars fill up the interstate,

We are drawn to the lakes and streams to be rescued from the heat,

Relief from our everyday path, a place for a brief retreat,

Then it’s back to reality, we put on our working shoes,

We struggle out of bed and know we have the back-to-work blues,

A day off of work can be grand, but we cannot forget the cost,

As we remember the soldiers, and those who suffered loss,

So we could share in the freedom to express our hopes and dreams,

So we can express our feelings without going to extremes,

We thank the ones who sacrificed and bravely gave their all,

They came back wounded, hurt and scarred, yet answered their country’s call.

They sacrificed the greater good,

Their place in battle strongly stood,

They let their light so strongly burn,

Remember what for us they earned,

The freedom to defend our cause,

The peace we’ve gained through death and loss,

We must remember what was done,

So we could be what we’ve become,

There still remains a remnant here,

That holds it’s liberty so dear,

When flags are hung and songs are sung,

Our love for country has begun,

The hymns and prayers of heroes past,

Engraved within our hearts must last,

Let not the cost be set aside,

For those who’ve given all and died,

Dear, God be with us in our quest,

To be a nation at its best,

To put you first in all we do,

To trust that you will see us through,

The troubling times that face us,

Your hope and mercy grant us.