Permission to post by Kelly Strong.
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Memorial Day Poem
We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As taps began to play.
The Chaplin led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.
They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here 'neath the sand.
I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.
Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,
Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore.
Author Unknown
THE VETERANS AT THE WALL
Douglas P. Hastings SGM, USA, (Ret)
August 20, 2002
How long I stood I do not know, just outside the line of trees.
I listened as the autumn wind, blew gently through the leaves.
Somewhere I felt a yearning to get closer to the stone,
But I stood in place afraid to move, I could not go there alone.
I walked over to a statue, honoring women of the corps.
I knew that they had volunteered, and could not have given more.
They served beside the fighting man, with steadfast dedication.
Many paid the price of life, and brought honor to this nation.
My thoughts were interrupted, when I heard an old friend call,
And I knew that I could not resist getting closer to that wall.
I looked down to see a wrinkled hand, as it gently touched my arm,
And a man said “Walk with me my friend for that wall can do no harm”.
As we walked along he called out names I am sure he thought I knew,
And I saw he wore a uniform of faded Air Force Blue.
He talked of battles won and lost, of heroic deeds unknown.
He told me not to fear that wall, for I was not alone.
He talked about the medals won, as they fought for what was right,
And his bearing was beyond compare, standing tall in Navy white.
He told me of their sacrifice, and I was moved by every story-
la Drang, An Khe, Dak To, Khe San, how each man had fought with glory,
Then I stopped in awesome wonder, at this solid marble scene,
And I turned and there beside me stood a battle worn Marine.
He gently nudged me forward, and he pointed to the wall,
He said, “Your friends are waiting here, and they will answer if you call.
As I stopped to read I gasped in shock, and I said this cannot be,
For the man who walked me to this wall, was there staring back at me.
I blinked and whispered to my self, this has to be a dream,
Saluting proudly with a smile, stood a soldier in Army green.
I turned and saw a family, then a father and his son.
I looked all around but he was not there, they were the only ones.
So I asked if they would help me find this kind old veteran-
He walked down this path beside me-help me find him if you can.
They looked at me in wonder, and then the family walked away.
The father smiled and then he said, “Sir, I’m not sure what to say,
For we saw you walk up to this wall, and I swear that this is true,
You came to this place alone my friend-there was no one but you.”
I turned back to hear that soldier speak, and I heard him softly say,
“My friends and I-we thank you sir, for coming here today,
Tell the folks we're here with God, and we are not alone,
We guard the gates of heaven now, for we have all come home,”
So I raised my hand in proud salute, and I turned and walked away,
And if I should live forever, I shall not forget that day,
Or a solemn black memorial, on the far end of the mall,
And the day that I was welcomed home, by the Veterans at the Wall.
Prayer Wheel for our Armed Forces
For those in the Armed Forces of our Country
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and
keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home
and abroad.
Defend them day by day with your heavenly
grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give
them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant
them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
