Poems to Honor Veterans on Memorial Day
- jr81568
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
Many poems were written to honor veterans that served in the military. Below are a few to remind you to remember the veterans that served in the military. Many veterans that served in the military died, were seriously injured or had trouble with housing and finding jobs when returning. Below are poems that will make you think about the meaning of Memorial Day. These poems were written by veterans.
In Flanders Fields
John McCrae was a soldier. poet, and physician in Canada. He was the first Canadian to be appointed the consulting surgeon to the British army. He wrote the poem after the death of friend in combat and the poem lead to the poppy becoming a symbol for remembering the dead.
By John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Poems About the Vietnam War by Veterans
Silent Battlefields
The poem was written by and unknow Veteran in Vietnam. Over 50,000 US soldiers died during this war.
In whispers haunt the brave who fall,
Once proud, now shadows in the hall,
Of memories laced in blood and tears,
The echoes of forgotten years.
The roar of war, a haunting tune
, Beneath the stars, beneath the moon,
Bravery, a fragile shield, In silence, they are forced to yield.
Nightmares twine like barbed wire tight,
In daylight’s glow, they hide from light,
The burdens of a past so grim,
A courage worn, their spirits dim.
Yet in the heart, a warrior stays,
Fighting still in unseen ways,
For bravery, though turned to fright,
Poems For World War II Veterans
Frank C. Major Ret USAF was an Air Force Major
that served in World War II. He lives in Queensbury, NY. He wrote the poem on a ship headed for battle. The war lasted from 1941 -1945 and over 400,000 soldiers died in this war.
Home: A Speck
T’was a misty day in forty five,
the day we sailed away,
and every man his best did strive
to keep his spirits gay.
The snow did fall, the wind did bite
as we stood upon the deck.
Determined were we to keep in sight,
home, though but a speck.
Helplessly, we watched it fade
Leaving in view the open sea.
Upon our hearts a curtain laid
til home, again, that speck will be.
—Frank C., Maj. Ret. USAF
References:
Poetry Foundation Memorial Day Poems 2026
Memories Vietnam Conflict Poems on PTSD, Tiny Poetry 2026
WWWII Veteran in Queensland Shares 1946 Poem by Courtney Ward May 25, 2026, VTEN News 2026
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