How perfectly they stand aligned br In geometric form designed br To please the eye, but not the mind - br So many side by side; br br White crosses standing in a row br Some are strangers, some we know br And every year the numbers grow - br A sad memorial; br br Each with a story of its own br A life, a death, a soul unknown br Struck down before the boy was grown - br A life cut short, unlived; br br 'Protect your country' was the call br And in the end each gave his all br But did this nation watch them fall? br On foreign soil they lay; br br Surrounded by their friends and foes br The grisly details no one knows br On family faces sorrow shows - br And still the scene replays; br br Shall peace forever be a dream? br These tortured souls forever scream br And does God hear their cries, it seems br They fall upon deaf ears; br br And so the annual ritual plays br While 'neath the ground each body lays br In every town's Memorial Day br We honor those we've lost; br br And though we give them due respect br The seeds of war shall yet infect br Unless we choose to interject br A prayer for all mankind; br br That war and killing now must end br Our thoughts of love must now transcend br Let each man call each man his friend.......... br On this Memorial Day.