Memorial Day

By choice
By draft
By tradition

For education
For adventure
For lack of

Babies go off to war
Families hold their breath

Until they can exhale

With grateful relief or
With inconsolable grief

They go
They see
They conquer
Or not

Believe
Obey
Protect

Ideology
Country
Each other

With respect
With thanks
In memory of

Those babies
Who will never
Come Home

Memorial Day Cookout Texas Caviar

1 16oz bag dry black eyed peas
water
1/2c cider vinegar
1/3c olive oil
1 tbsp salt
2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp ground red pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2c fresh parsley, chopped
3 green onions, minced

Rinse peas and bring to a boil in dutch oven w/6c water- cook 3 minutes. Remove Dutch oven from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour

Drain and rinse peas; return to Dutch oven and bring to boil- reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or till tender- drain.

Mix together vinegar, olive oil, salt, sugar, ground red pepper, and garlic.

Add peas, parsley and green onions and toss gently to coat with dressing.

Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.