Because you died for me
I will do my best
To be my best.
I will not squander my chance,
To live free.
To live with choice.
To honor your service and your memory.
Because you died for me
I will appreciate
The full life I have.
I will not belittle your sacrifice
By belittling my country
Or spoiling the greatness you believed in.
Because you died for me
I will learn what I can
Of what you went through,
What you suffered,
And what your family lost.
I will not turn my eyes from the lessons before me,
Or behind me.
Because you died for me
I will live in my country with gratitude for it’s very existence-
Owed to you-
And your duty and your honor.
Because you died for me
Thank you is not enough.
Because you died for me
I must live with dignity
For the country you believed in.
And died for.
*
The very least, and the very most,
That I can do for you,
Is not squander what your death provided me.
And not make a mockery of your sacrifice.
Because you died for me.
Because you died for me.
Because you died for me.
I live free.
*
*
Originally published 5/24/2013
The Chatter Blog 
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, Colleen.
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Thank you Mark. I wish the same to you and your Dear Wife. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Human Relationships.
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I remember beautiful lost from last year….
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Thank you Koji.
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Happy a Memorial Day to you. An amazing write Colleen.
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Thank you Jen. Do you celebrate Memorial Day, or anything similar?
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You’re welcome, we celebrate Anzac Day, for our fallen soldiers who fought at Galipolli.
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I will look up Anzac Day. Thank you for letting me know. I have a good life, and being grateful to those who gave up their life so that I can live free is sometimes an overwhelming thought. And I think to not live well is a slap in the face to those who didn’t live on, for us.
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Beautifully said and thank you for asking about what we celebrate. Agreed many, many over the years, have fought valiantly, giving up their lives, so that freedom can be enjoyed by others.
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There is no glory in war, in my opinion. But there is glory in the valor and sacrifice of men and women who give of themselves. It’s so overwhelming to think of what they do for us. Did for us.
I read some about Anzac day. Thank you for sharing that with me.
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Totally agreed hun, no glory at all. You are welcome, it’s nice to know about other countries and their remembrances. xx
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It is good to learn about one another.
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Without the ‘a’
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Colleen, Speaking for myself as a Veteran, thank so very much for these so very kind and thoughtful words. Words when heard by a veteran are thankful they could serve and protect the likes of you. Those looking down from above and hearing these words become more proud they served, because of the likes of you, And those thinking of taking up the honor of serving and protecting your become stronger in their conviction because of the likes of you. You are the embodiment, the poster child of why we choose or chose to serve. Thank you. Take care, Love Bill
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What an amazing comment Bill. Thank you. I really bristle at the population who criticizes and squanders the opportunities afforded to them in a country that has men and women willing to die to protect them. Why would those of us being protected NOT want to do everything we can to be productive, and take care of this country, not drain it.
Thank you for your service Bill. Fortunately there are many many people who do appreciate your commitment to us.
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Colleen, the pleasure was mine to serve, and I would do it agian and again and again. Take care, Bill
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🙂 That’s what makes you amazing. 🙂
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Beautiful write..Thank you for sharing..We can’t ever forget!
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Thank you ! No, we cannot.
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Happy Memorial Day Weekend. This grabbed my heart strings.
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Thank you Tess. Happy Memorial Day Weekend to you.
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*\o/* ❤
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Wow amazing!
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Thank you Huck. 🙂
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Wonderful post…lest we forget!
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Thank you Heart.
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Sitting here quietly reflecting what this message means. So beautiful. Bless all those for all they did and endured. Thank you, Colleen. ❤
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You’re welcome Paulette. ❤
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BEAUTIFUL! I will not forget. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, Colleen. ~Karen~
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Thank you Karen, and the same to you.
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A beautiful Memorial Day post, Colleen. 🙂
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Thank you very much Niaaeryn. I wrote it last year. Changed it a bit. Though now I wish I had just left it in it’s original state.
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I say it still sounds nice. I may have to find the original later. I am sure you have plans this Memorial Day, so I do not forget: have an awesome and fantabulous weekend! 🙂
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Thank you! And I hope you have a wonderful holiday as well.
Oh! Don’t look for the original, I think I took it off. I usually do if I post them again.
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