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Rhymes & Reasons

Category: Holidays / Topics: Character, Integrity • Circumstances, Life Events • History • Holidays • Memories • Service • Veterans Day • War

A Final Salute

by Greg Asimakoupoulos

Posted: November 13, 2023

Veteran's Day thoughts inspired by my mom at my dad's graveside service…

Allegiance pledged.
One last salute
while flanked by mourners dressed in suits.
My mother wept for her best friend
as I grieved for my dad.

This one who heard his Uncle call
and promised he would give his all
would fight to keep our nation free
and made his Uncle proud.

So on this day Old Glory waves
at football fields or grassy graves,
I’ll honor veterans everywhere
with thanks and prayers for peace.

In other stories, Greg has related his father's presence as a young US Navy sailor on the USS Missouri during the Japanese surrender ceremony marking the end of World War II in the Pacific on September 2, 1945.
A Symphony Heard Around the World (September 4, 2021)
Now is Undoubtedly a Good Time for Reflecting, Looking Back (August 31, 2020)
Victory at Sea (September 5, 2010)


Search all articles by Greg Asimakoupoulos

Greg Asimakoupoulos (pronounced AWESOME-uh-COPE-uh-less) is an ordained minister, published author and chaplain to a retirement community in the Pacfic Northwest. Greg maintains a blog called Rhymes and Reasons, which he graciously provides to SeniorLifestyle.

Greg's writings have now been assembled in book form. See the SeniorLifestyle Store.

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Posted: November 13, 2023

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