Poetry

Okay, time for the Minstral to flex her abilities.

I love our military. I have no way to express that except to shake the hand of every Vet I meet and tell him (or her) "Thank You." But, how do you thank a man who chose to put himself in Harm's way for people he didn't know? How do you tell a man you appreciate the sacrifices he and his brothers (not to mention his family back home) made in the battle for freedom? Especially when so many FOOLS today want to decry that very sacrifice. Want to heap criticisms on our Warriors. Oh, man! They had SO better not EVER do that to a Warrior, retired or active, in front of me. It's entirely possible I'll be brought to trial for murder with their body as evidence! (grrrr!)

Several of the men in my church were in the military. One was in Pearl Harbor that fateful December 7th. He shouldn't have been, he was just transfering through and was supposed to leave on Monday... the 8th.... He'll talk about that day, tell you of his memories, but his aging, nearly blind eyes will fill with tears as he sees again the horrors Japan visited on our sleeping country. I don't remember his name, but almost immediatly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, a Japanese General is recorded as having said "I fear we have woken a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible purpose." He was so right. And that purpose was fed by the fierce heart of our Warriors. Even one of my cousins was in the Air Force. I don't know exactly what he did, he just smiles whenever he's asked. I know he was in Afghanastan at one point. (during the first Bush administration, I believe) Then there's the men who are in Special Forces. Wow. And our Marines? (in dress uniform, double wow!..... okay, okay, I'll behave) No, seriously, in any branch, these are people dedicated not only to the preservation of peace (even more than the cops mentioned in my previous post, they'd love to lay down their arms), they are also ready for war. They know it will come. They're the ones willing to stand up to the school-yard bully and tell him he's not allowed to cross that line! And, if he does? They're the ones there to meet him. He's NOT going to get near their familes! No way!

So.... how do you thank them? A simple handshake just doesn't seem like enough, yet I've been humbled when I've said my Thank You to Vets and seen them tear up because Just. One. Person. Cared. And their proud, loving families have, too. Don't decry them. Think about them. Think about what they do. What they're willing to do.
Think about how it would really be if they weren't there.
Think about what THEY gave, and give.
Think about their love....

No Greater Love....

As I stare in awe and wonder

At this flag before my eyes,

I see within its glowing depths

Those who fought for Freedom's prize:

The heart to win, the will to fight,

The choice to stand for God and right.

I see the men who knew me not

Yet, for my freedom, fiercely fought.

Of cold and sickness, fear and pain,

Endured all that we might gain.

As I stand in awe and wonder

And I think on Freedom's past

And think of all the battles fought

That Liberty might last:

I hear the cry of soliders lost,

To save my life they paid the cost.

I hear the thunder, battles fierce,

I hear the sobs the heart to pierce.

A mother's loss, a country's gain,

How hard the heart feels not the pain?

As I watch this flag above

And think upon a Warrior's love,

Giving all for Freedom's gain,

Counting not the cost or pain.

Standing fast tho' heart should break,

His friends-at-arms he'll not forsake.

The Warrior's heart will ne'er give in,

For Freedom's sake he'll fight to win.

Proud, this flag shows Warriors' love,

He gave his all for me and you.

It's proof? The stripes of boldest red.

He fought for those he never knew!

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend." John 15:13

© Copyright 2003 Pam Sears (UN: condorsfan at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.