Memorial Day ~ 2024

 

On this Memorial Day,

I salute and respect

all the Veterans

from the Armed Forces 

of the United States of America

who sacrificed their lives

so that we may live

our lives in freedom.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery - San Diego, California

2. Santa Fe National Cemetery - Santa Fe, New Mexico

My Middle Name

 

I'm seventy-five years old.

This is the middle

of the eighth decade

I've been blessed to live

on this beautiful earth.

The morning hours

of writing poetry

have been fulfilling and fruitful.

These past twelve years

passing too swiftly.

I am enriched every day

by observations of nature.

Grateful to God the Creator

for sensory awareness,

and for the freedom to explore. 

I am

accepting the past,

living in the present,

and anticipating the future

when I'll be running and writing.

My middle name is Gratitude.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Canyonlands National Park - Utah

2. Home Deck - Cannonsburg, Michigan 

3. Butonbush - Kent County - Michigan

4. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

Salute

With sincere respect,
and with honor for
their supreme sacrifice;

their lives 
for our freedom,

I salute the 
United States Veterans
on this Memorial Day.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery - St. Louis, Missouri

2. Santa Fe National Cemetery - New Mexico

  

Veteran's Day

For all U.S. Veterans
who gave their lives
for our freedom,
I offer my deep respect
and sincere gratitude.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Santa Fe National Cemetery - Santa Fe, New Mexico

2. Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery - San Diego, California

Memorial Day 2018

For all those who sacrificed their lives,
so that we may live ours with freedom. ~ RH

"The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem." ~ Aaron Kilbourne


Photo Locations:

1. Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery - St. Louis, Missouri

2. Amway World Headquarters - Ada, Michigan

Veteran's Day II

No words
can embrace
the immense gratitude
I feel for our U.S. Veterans
who paid the
ultimate sacrifice
for our freedom. 

See also: Veteran's Day  November 11, 2012



Photo Location:

Santa Fe National Cemetery  (Veteran's Cemetery)  Santa Fe,  (Santa Fe) New Mexico (NM)