Patriotic Poems

Here you'll find free patriotic poems and military poems, including Veterans Day poems, an Armed Forces Day poem, a Flag Day poem, a Memorial Day poem, a Fourth of July poem, a Soldier's Prayer and general patriotic poems. There is also an I Miss You poem, for those whose loved ones are in the military.

Patriotic poetry can refer what's happening right now. The following patriotic verse is geared to that.

The Tyrants

The tyrants are on the loose again;
They hate all but their own.
They give their lives to kill us,
To scatter our blood and bone.

They care not whom they murder,
Whether woman, man or child;
Their minds are full of fury;
Their sickness has gone wild.

To rule the world with violence
Is their one and only goal;
Terror is their method;
They want complete control.

We’ve seen it all before,
And we could not let it be;
We gave our lives for freedom,
For the world, and for you and me.

We fight all forms of oppression,
Helping victims far and near,
To keep the world from chaos,
To protect what we hold dear.

America’s the only country
That gives with its whole heart,
And asks so very little;
We always do our part.

So let’s unite again
To subdue our newest foe,
Whatever we must do,
Wherever we must go.

Let’s show the world once more
That America is blessed
With people who are heroes,
Who meet each and every test.

By Joanna Fuchs

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Veterans Day Poems

Patriotic poems should always include Veteran's Day poems. When you use the following Veterans Day poems for greetings to veterans, for Veterans Day events, for printing on Veterans Day programs, etc., please be sure to include somewhere on the card or program "By Joanna Fuchs, www.poemsource.com." If you read them aloud and there is no program, please be sure to say, "This poem is by Joanna Fuchs at www.poemsource.com."

Here is a patriotic poem in the category of Veteran's Day poems. Veterans day poems should include all veterans, living and dead. This Veterans Day poem could be used as a Veteran's Day greeting.

They Did Their Share

On Veteran’s Day we honor
Soldiers who protect our nation.
For their service as our warriors,
They deserve our admiration.

Some of them were drafted;
Some were volunteers;
For some it was just yesterday;
For some it’s been many years;

In the jungle or the desert,
On land or on the sea,
They did whatever was assigned
To produce a victory.

Some came back; some didn’t.
They defended us everywhere.
Some saw combat; some rode a desk;
All of them did their share.

No matter what the duty,
For low pay and little glory,
These soldiers gave up normal lives,
For duties mundane and gory.

Let every veteran be honored;
Don’t let politics get in the way.
Without them, freedom would have died;
What they did, we can’t repay.

We owe so much to them,
Who kept us safe from terror,
So when we see a uniform,
Let’s say "thank you" to every wearer.

By Joanna Fuchs

There is a soldier Christmas poem on the Christmas Poems page.



Veteran's Day poetry is by far the most popular of all the patriotic poems, so I have written several Veteran's Day poems. This Veteran's Day poem is a Veterans Day tribute.

The Noble and the Brave:
A Veteran's Day Tribute

When America had an urgent need,
These brave ones raised a hand;
No hesitation held them back;
They were proud to take a stand.

They left their friends and family;
They gave up normal life;
To serve their country and their God,
They plowed into the strife.

They fought for freedom and for peace
On strange and foreign shores;
Some lost new friends; some lost their lives
In long and brutal wars.

Other veterans answered a call
To support the ones who fought;
Their country had requirements for
The essential skills they brought.

We salute every one of them,
The noble and the brave,
The ones still with us here today,
And those who rest in a grave.

So here’s to our country’s heroes;
They’re a cut above the rest;
Let’s give the honor that is due
To our country’s very best.

By Joanna Fuchs

When is Veteran's Day 2009?
Veteran's Day always falls on November 11, no exceptions.

In addition to the patriotic poems here, let's find out some facts about the origin and history of Veterans Day: In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I. The end of the war happened at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, so that's why November 11 was chosen.

Congress changed the name to Veterans Day in 1954. Veterans Day, a legal holiday in the U.S., honors all who have served in the nation’s armed forces, whether they are living or dead.

Patriotic poems that are Veterans Day poems should always be complimentary to our veterans. In the past, some veterans have not been honored for their service the way they should have been. The decision to go to war and to stay in a war accrues to politicians, not to our men and women in the armed forces. This Veteran's day poem reminds us to thank those in uniform for what they did for our country.



Take A Moment To Thank A Veteran

When you see someone in a uniform
Someone who serves us all,
Doing military duty,
Answering their country’s call,

Take a moment to thank them
For protecting what you hold dear;
Tell them you are proud of them;
Make it very clear.

Just tap them on the shoulder,
Give a smile, and say,
"Thanks for what you’re doing;
To keep us safe in the USA!"

By Joanna Fuchs

Patriotic poems should always have a positive tone. This Veterans Day poem is full of uplifting sentiment.

The Best on Earth:
A Veteran's Day Tribute

If someone has done military service,
They earn the title "veteran," and more;
They earn our deep respect and admiration;
That they are special no one can ignore.

They sacrificed the comforts we enjoy;
The list is long of all the things they gave;
Our veterans are extraordinary people;
They’re loyal, dedicated, true and brave.

When terror and invasion were real threats,
They showed us they could handle any storm.
We owe our freedoms and our very lives
To our veterans, who served in uniform.

Our veterans should be celebrities;
They’re exceptional; no other group compares.
We’re grateful for the many things they’ve done;
They’re always in our hearts and in our prayers.

We owe our veterans support and friendship;
Let no one ever question what they’re worth.
These men and women served us and our country;
Our veterans--the very best on earth.

By Joanna Fuchs

Veterans Day Prayer

Patriotic poems can be in free verse (not rhyming). Many people are searching for Veterans Day prayers, so I wrote this free verse patriotic poem as a Veteran's Day prayer that asks God to bless our veterans.

Bless Them Abundantly:
A Veteran’s Day Prayer

Dear Lord,
Today we honor our veterans,
worthy men and women
who gave their best
when they were called upon
to serve and protect their country.
We pray that you will bless them, Lord,
for their unselfish service
in the continual struggle
to preserve our freedoms, our safety,
and our country’s heritage, for all of us.
Bless them abundantly
for the hardships they faced,
for the sacrifices they made,
for their many different contributions
to America’s victories
over tyranny and oppression.
We respect them, we thank them,
we honor them, we are proud of them,
and we pray that you will watch over
these special people
and bless them with peace and happiness.
In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen.

By Joanna Fuchs



Patriotic Songs

Looking for patriotic songs? Well, the reason the meter is weird in this patriotic poem is because it is actually a free patriotic song, to the familiar tune of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, which is in the public domain. That's the one that starts "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored..." and the chorus is "Glory, glory hallelujah...his truth is marching on."

This patriotic song lyric could take its place among Tea Party songs, and you can find the free sheet music to it on the Internet. Just type into Google "battle hymn of the republic free public domain sheet music." This public domain sheet music may arrive yellowed or torn, because it's old, but it's free.

I give permission for you to sing, perform or use this patriotic song, for non-commercial applications (not for money or anything of value), provided that you put beneath the lyric, each time and everywhere it is printed, the following attribution:

Lyric by Joanna Fuchs
www.poemsource.com

The American People Will

(To the tune of The Battle Hymn of the Republic)

When our government keeps growing
Past it's legal boundaries,
When our laws just hurt the people,
But officials live in ease,
If we cannot get our leaders
To protect our liberties,
The American people will.

Chorus:

We, the people, have to fix it,
When our country is in trouble.
Government declines to do it,
So the American people will.

When our taxes give us nightmares,
And the total makes us flinch,
When our businesses can't profit
'Cause the regulations pinch,
When we tell them it's not working
But they will not give an inch,
The American people will.

(Sing chorus again.)

Our country's going bankrupt;
Do you think they even care?
They're creating giant debt now,
Printing money from thin air.
They think no one can stop them,
But they'd better all beware:
The American people will.

(Sing chorus again.)

We'll restore the Constitution
Bring back power to the States,
Give the people back the money
Congress misappropriates.
For our drunk-with-power leaders,
Only joblessness awaits;
The American people will.

(Sing chorus again.)

By Joanna Fuchs

Patriotic poems can send supportive messages to those in the military. This patriotic poem is an I Miss You poem for spouses, sweethearts and parents of those who are serving in the military. This missing you poem would certainly be welcome for those who are far from home. If your loved one is not in combat, you could change "fighting" to "serving" in the last line.

I Miss You

I miss you in the morning,
I miss you late at night,
But I know what you are doing
Is good and just and right.

You’re always in my thoughts;
I hope that you can see
I’m proud of you for serving
Our country, God, and me.

And when you’re home again
I won’t miss you anymore,
But I’ll always admire your courage
For fighting in this war.

By Joanna Fuchs

Armed Forces Day Poem

Patriotic poems can celebrate patriotic holidays. Here's a patriotic poem that is an Armed Forces Day poem.

Honor Our Military

Let’s honor our military,
The men and women who serve,
Whose dedication to our country
Does not falter, halt or swerve.

Let’s respect them for their courage;
They’re ready to do what’s right
To keep America safe,
So we can sleep better at night.

Let’s support and defend our soldiers,
Whose hardships are brutal and cruel,
Whose discipline we can’t imagine,
Who follow each order and rule.

Here’s to those who choose to be warriors
And their helpers good and true;
They’re fighting for American values;
They’re fighting for me and you.

By Joanna Fuchs

Memorial Day Poems

Any group of patriotic poems would not be complete without Memorial Day poems. Memorial Day honors those who have died in the service of their country, while Veteran's Day honors all those who served, whether alive or dead. This patriotic poem is about Memorial Day.

The Ultimate Sacrifice:
A Memorial Day Poem

We set aside Memorial Day
Each and every year
To honor those who gave their lives
Defending what we hold dear.

In all the dark and deadly wars,
Their graves prove and remind us,
Our brave Americans gave their all
To put danger far behind us.

They made the ultimate sacrifice
Fighting for the American way;
We admire them and respect them
On every Memorial Day.

By Joanna Fuchs

This patriotic poem is intended as a free verse Memorial Day poem, although it could be used as a general military poem or even a Veteran's Day poem.

In Loving Memory

On every soldier’s tombstone
should be a message of honor, respect and love:
"In loving memory
of one who loved his country,
who fought against evil
to preserve what is right and true and good.
In loving memory
of one who is a cut above the rest of us,
who had the surpassing courage,
the uncommon strength,
to do whatever had to be done,
persevering through hardship and pain.
In loving memory
of one who was brave enough
to give his life, his all,
so that those he cared about
would remain safe and free.
In loving memory
of a unique and treasured soldier
who will never be forgotten."

By Joanna Fuchs

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Flag Day Poem

Patriotic poems can celebrate patriotic icons, such as the American flag. This patriotic poem is a Flag Day poem for Flag Day, which occurs in June.

Our Flag Flies High:
A Flag Day Poem

The U.S. flag is a symbol
Of what Americans treasure;
It represents the values
We cherish beyond measure.

Our flag flies high for freedom,
For legal equality,
For Constitutional rights,
And justice for you and me.

Our flag flies high for bravery,
The courage it takes to fight
And even give our lives
For what we know is right.

Our flag flies high for compassion;
We quickly help those in need;
When there’s a need for service,
Americans take the lead.

The American flag is an icon,
Representing the American way;
Our hearts swell with emotion,
When we see it ripple and sway.

By Joanna Fuchs



Independence Day/4th of July poem

Patriotic poems about Independence Day are popular. Joanna wrote this patriotic poem for a poetry contest in connection with the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976. It took third place. It's a fourth of July poem. Or, it's a 4th of July poem, or July 4 poem, or Independence Day poem. Whatever you call it, the Fourth of July celebrates the U.S. Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.

Free In The USA

On the Fourth of July, I raised the flag,
As I spoke with love and pride:
"I’m blessed to be an American," I said,
To two friends who stood by my side.

One was my neighbor, who lives next door,
He's a citizen, like me.
The other, a visitor from a hard, oppressed land,
Far across the sea.

"My flag stays in its box this year,"
Said my neighbor, boiling mad.
"The terrible shape this country’s in,
The future looks nothing but bad.

"Taxes, scandal, indifference and crime,
On our land like a giant stain."
My visitor said, "We have all that, and worse,
But it’s against the law to complain."

My neighbor looked startled, but not subdued;
Then he started in on the Press:
"There’s nothing but bad news; the headlines are bleak."
(It gets me down, too, I confess.)

"Our news is all good," said my visitor.
"It’s just how you’d like to be.
We know what our government wants us to know;
Our press is controlled, you see."

My neighbor spun ‘round and marched toward his house,
And here is the end to my story:
The next time we saw him, he was out in his yard,
Proudly raising Old Glory.

By Joanna Fuchs

Patriotic poetry often includes soldier poems. This patriotic poem is a military poem that beseeches God for help.

A Soldier’s Prayer

Lord, wrap Your arms around me
In this hostile, brutal place;
Let me draw peace and comfort
From Your restful, sweet embrace.

Help me do my duty
To uphold what is right;
Give me strength and courage
Each day and every night.

Lord, hear this soldier’s prayer
To You in heaven above;
Protect me with Your power,
And sustain me with Your love.

By Joanna Fuchs

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Patriotic poems include war poems. Tens of thousands of people type the words War Poems into their search engine each month. I doubt they are looking for antiwar poems or peace poems, so I wrote this "war is necessary" war poem for them.

Make War, Not Love

Except for those who make the guns
And profit from each bomb and plane,
No one wants war; we all want peace.
"Bring them home!" people complain.

There are better ways to solve all this;
We'll get together and negotiate;
With diplomacy, we'll calm them down;
With loving hearts we'll end the hate.

But loving hearts don't understand
That demented tyrants want it all.
No talk, no love will change their minds.
Only war will cause their fall.

Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, too,
Total power was their goal.
Saddam Hussein, Amin, and more,
Ignored the talk, and gained control.

Despicable, depraved and more,
With viciousness, they kill their own.
So we send our soldiers off to hell
To keep freedom as our cornerstone.

Was 9/11 not enough
To show us just how far they'll go?
Will we acquiesce to terrorists,
These devils, the lowest of the low?

Reluctantly, we have to fight;
So while pundits chatter and discuss,
We'll use our might to take them out,
To keep the thugs from killing us.

By Joanna Fuchs



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Thanks for reading our patriotic poems! This patriotic poetry is free for use on personal greeting cards, provided that the author's name (Joanna Fuchs or Karl Fuchs) and our Web site address, www.poemsource.com, appear somewhere on the card. All other uses require written permission. See our Terms of Use for details.

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