This great poem was read at a WWII vet's funeral I attended a while back by a friend and fellow serviceman at the deceased's request. It was written by a soldier who took part in the second wave at Normandy. I was very moved by it and asked for a copy. It contains hand-written notes.
My wife and I printed it on parchment paper and dropped it off at the local VFW and Legion Halls Thursday.
Prayers to all our vets past, present, and future.
Here is why Americans will fight for Freedom:
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Every time out country stands in the path of Danger an instinct seems to summons her finest first. Those who truly understand it.
When freedom shivers in the path of true peril it is always the patriots who first hear the call. When loss of liberty is looming as it is now the siren sounds first in the hearts of freedoms vanguard the smoke in the air of our Concord Bridges and Pearl Harbors is always smelled first by the farmers. Who come from their simple homes to find the fire and fight, because they know that sacred stuff resides in that wooden stock and blued steel.
Something that gives the most common man the most uncommon of freedoms. When ordinary hands can possess such and extraordinary instrument that symbolizes the full measure of human dignity and liberty.
That is why those 5 words issue an irresistible call with all and we must. So as we set out this year to defeat the divisive forces that would take freedom away, I want to say those fighting words, for everyone within the sound of my voice, to hear and to head, and especially for you Mr. Gore “From my Cold Dead Hands”.
Charlton Heston (addressing the 2000 NRA Convention)