Veteran's Day November 11, 2005
On muddy ground you slept,
in sand beds you dozed, in the cold, you ate cold meals.
For Freedom.
Your hands froze holding your gun, you baked in scorching desert sun holding your burning hot gun,
For Freedom.
Your ship sailed through enemy fire and took a torpedo or two,
your submarine prowled in murky waters near enemy shores,
you stormed the beaches at Normandy,
you waded through jungles in water up to your shoulders.
For Freedom.
You were captured by the enemy and tortured beyond belief,
by monsters from hell you gave your life.
For Freedom.
Your eyes saw horrors that haunt night and day,
and you say it is an honor to serve your nation.
For Freedom.
You stood tall and said, I’ll go my nation needs me,
yes, you answered the call.
For Freedom.
I see your tear stained face as you stand at your brother’s or sister’s burial.
I see your agony of separation from your loved ones.
Your parents, your wife, your lover, your children, your siblings.
For Freedom.
I see you in wheel chairs on the streets.
Or living in Veterans Hospitals, too, ill, or alone.
For Freedom.
Is Thank You enough for the price you paid?
It’s all I have to give you on this day.
Thank You, Thank You, for my peace, my flag flies high without disgrace.
It’s my uncle’s flag bellowing in the breeze, he was the Sailor you see.
Hoisted up for me by a retired Marine Captain, who was a JAG in Da Nang, Viet Nam.
For Freedom.
My uncle, the Marine, who was buried in his uniform at age ninety.
The Twenty One Gun Salute broke the silence that day, I watched as you were laid away.
For my step father, Army POW, WWII, you carried a metal plate in your head,
For Freedom.
My brothers, one a Marine, one a Sailor, Thank You.
To my Army ex-husband, Thank You.
In gratitude to all Veterans, Thank You, Thank You, for my Freedom.
bentfeather (c) 11-11-05
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