In Memorium
In memorium,
down beneath the dust,
memories of battle,
bone fragments and rust.
We remember those who gave their lives,
whose flag draped coffins come home in silence;
whose service was more than honorable,
not because it's optional, but because we must;
Not to play a trumpet, not to win a vote,
not to bray triumphally,not to attack a stranger;
But because without them, our lives would be in danger.
Because without their courage, we'd be living in present chains.
We honor them in sunshine,
We honor them in rain.
We honor those who returned safely,
and those who still live in pain.
And most of all we honor those
who return in those flag draped coffins.
For those alive;
We should remember every limb and scar,
and be humble if all this was to our gain.
For how can one mans wealth and fortune
be built on anothers loss?
If the world is truly a better place,
then those who gave count it worth the cost.
For those no more;
We who stand on rusty, dusty, shoulders.
Should look up, look down, and all around,
and count ourselves lucky that we are here,
that this moment is ours,
For it will never be again;
But stands fixed in Living Memory;
Alongside future folks, who will stand on ours.
And we should honor these people,
and think of them every day,
as they return home in planes:
guarded from the press;
returned furtively to their families;
guarded from the acknowledgement and grief;
by the very men who sent them into harms way.
This memorial day, these men are very much on my mind.
And I pray, that their mission be a success,
and that they soon can come home.
Chris
Posted by cholte at May 27, 2005 06:36 PM