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Tributes to those who died in service to their country, and to those who loved and waited for them....

 

Tags: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy, tribute

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Salute
I thought I should add my Cousins Gordon, Jimmy, Susan, Randy, and Steven...all career Naval or Marine Officers as well...

a flag draped casket

to honor a fallen vet

may you rest in peace

 

we thank your service

the sacrifice of your life

you'll be remembered

it wasn't your choice
to be an absent father
but duty called you

birthdays without you
each year mom would chirp "next year!"
next year never came

i grew up at last
just in time to say goodbye
on my own voyage

still i felt you near
our hearts beat the same tattoo...
i love you daddy

My dad at sea--Commander of a destroyer in 1948.

the son of a friend
fallen but not forgotten...
still dad's towhead boy

poet warrior
that's what the papers called him...
unfinished poem

I just found out today that you're gone, Scott. Thank you for your life, your art, and your sacrifice.

Here's one of Scott's poems which was written after his battalion lost it's first man.

When Taps Is Played

when taps is played
we are at attention
saluting
a soldier none of us knew.

30,000 feet above
through a cloudy crying blue sky
a tomcat fighter screams.

the commanding general
nods his head
at words repeated
a thousand times:
he died for liberty,
he died so that others may be free,
he died a hero.

nothing is said of politics
nothing is said about the city--
two million people who don’t want us here
hundreds of children throwing bricks
gunshots in the night
martyrs waiting for us to gun them down.

nothing is said about the bullet that tore the soldier’s throat out.

when roll is called
there is only the sound
of a private first class
who does not answer back.

a friend of a friend

a son of our great country

may you rest in peace

we thank you today

for your grand sacrifices

we remember you

he looks at the sky
white birds wheel against bright blue...
please remember me

he dismounts his mare
points her opposite the fray
slaps her on the rump

watching her run free
he wishes he could run too
but stern duty calls...

a childhood christmas
his first kiss among the pines
his young son's laughter

his mother's embrace
the taste of summer peaches
fields that need plowing

a soft featherbed
the fresh smell of sun dried clothes 
sweet flesh against flesh

his wife's expression
don't worry i'm coming home
promises broken...

goodbye to this world
to loved people and places
his war ends today

Not haiku, but worth posting. George S. Patton's poem about the perennial soldier:

Through A Glass Darkly

Perhaps I stabbed our Savior
In His sacred helpless side.
Yet I've called His name in blessing
When in after times I died.

Through the travail of the ages
Midst the pomp and toil of war
Have I fought and strove and perished
Countless times upon this star.

I have sinned and I have suffered
Played the hero and the knave
Fought for belly, shame or country
And for each have found a grave.

So as through a glass and darkly
The age long strife I see
Where I fought in many guises,
Many names - but always me.

So forever in the future
Shall I battle as of yore,
Dying to be born a fighter
But to die again once more. 

you lie side-by-side
with classmates and family
enshrined with honor

your alma mater
(ex scientia tridens)
keeps watch over you

young men pay tribute
to you the valiant dead as
daily discipline

how much more I wish
that you were right here with me
your dimpled smile bright

keeping a golf date
or playing doubles with friends
or chasing some dame :>)

we'd dance one more dance
and sing one last chorus of
is that all there is

golden epaulets
parade sword and fore-and-aft
are what's left of you

commendations and 
medals--briefings and photos
naval history...

who will care for these
when I have sailed out of port
beyond all sight lines

though not family
loving hands will pick you up
where I have left you

preserving your name 
naval academy ring
and accomplishments

you will live on in
the bosom of the navy
enshrined forever

an honored patriot

your loving memorials

now reside in us

he like my brother

gave their all to protect us

heroes forever

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