NEXT MONDAY, TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER, RESPECT THEM

By Juan Montoya

The Son's Story

I never knew you, Dad

And in the dimmest fogs

Of Time, 

You were a pang I felt

When mother heard you died

I was there inside her

When she heard,

She has said

I never knew you

Nor you me

But I am you

And you are me,
Dad

They say I look like you

And many times over my days
I have compared

Your picture with my face

At times I feel

Like someone's there

Behind my shoulder

Looking o'er me...
And though we're set apart
By time and space
You give me strength

I never knew you 

Nor you me

But I am you

And you are me

The Daughter's Tale

I do remember you, sweet Daddy

I do recall the man in green fatigues

Who made a swing for me

And carried,
And played with me, 

And lullabyed me off to sleep

You have grandchildren now, my father 

One looks a lot like you

And I see you 

When I see him

And I am you

And so is he

The Widow's Memory

So many years have passed, sweet thing

Since you, sea bag in hand,

Walked out that door

So much has passed...

And more

I cared for our two children

And they grew straight and strong

Like the pecan and oak we planted

In our yard

I raised them as I promised you I would
Watered with your precious blood
And yes, I must confess, my tears

And though I did as you had said

To meet and know others, as you said

It never was the same

How could it be?

I'm part of you

And you of me

On this day know

That nothing was in vain

The land, our land

Sometimes still struggles

But we're free

Know that your children

And our grandkids

Will flourish in this plot of earth

That you kept free

You fought for US

You died for US

So we could be

You're part of US

And of you, we