A Veterans Day In honor of his service someone buys him a beer. His mind flashes back to friends no longer here. As gracious as a man can be he says thanks and looks away. He promised himself all year long he would not cry today. Someones calling out his name not just once but twice. They want to make a toast for his great sacrifice. He comes here almost every day. Its where everybody goes. Every other day of the year youd think nobody knows. Of bombs going off around him with mud stuck in his hair. People crying out in pain and bullets cut the air. The friend hes trying to carry thats unable now to walk. His life is quickly fading no strength left to talk. Each year the promise broken no matter how he tries. Once again he hangs his head as tears fall from his eyes. They rise and speak of honor they dream of in war. They dont know of all the night he cant face it anymore. Trying to collect himself he takes his place up front. He says there aint much honor in a war that you dont want. But should there be honor that exists where a brave soul still might roam. Its out there in the jungle with the ones who cant come home. Though many men I never met I swear I loved them all. I dont know why Im still here or why they had to fall. Any honor you feel due to me before this day finally ends. If you dont mind this moment. Id like to toast my friends. The whole bar had grown silent not a noise throughout the place. As everyone just looked at him as tears rolled down his face. I am an American soldier I bleed red white and blue. God gave me the honor to return back home to you. There were battles that we won and good mens lives were lost. Who knew that to live in peace would come at such a cost? Lets not for one moment forget the children and the wives. The parents and the friends that mourn for men that lost their lives. Edwin C Hofert While I know today there are thousands that we honor. Men and women. When I wrote this poem I had a special friend in mind. Viet nam Veteran Donald Waldridge. And so I dedicate this poem to him.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 22:07:14 +0000
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