A Poem for Memorial Day

I wrote this a few years ago and think it is very appropriate for Memorial Day.

The Flag That Flies Above Us

The flag flies above us
Do we ever stop and look
Do we notice the blood red stripes
and the blood those stripes took

Do we see that feild of blue
or the fifty stars of white
Each shine individually
but together, infinitely bright

What do these show me?
They show the price that was paid
For some it was but a brief service
For other, the greatest sacrifice was made

These few did stop and look
With Respect and honor in their eyes
Because of their courage and valor
The red, white, and blue still flies.

Dear America

Dear America,

I must admit that I am a little disappointed in you.  Actually, I am quite a bit disappointed in you.  While bringing down a terrorist leader is, in fact, a noble thing, celebrating the death of a human being with jubilant cheers and dancing in the street is sickening. 

Osama Bin Laden was a terrorist, but he was also a husband, father, and a son.  There are people, although but a few, that feel pain in this man's death.  We, in the United States are revelling in his death.  Are we roman citizens attending death matches at the colliseum? 

I thought we were a civilized country, or at least more civilized than this.  Did we not get angry when people in the Middle East danced in the streets on 9-11?  Is turn about fair play, or are we just as bad as the people that did it to us. 

To the people who contributed to this mission:  Congratulations on a job well done.  You did your job well and when he fought back your recourse was justified.  You men are heroes and will not be forgotten even if we will not know your names for several years.  You sacrifice greatly for your country, and for that I am thankful to you. 

To the people who celebrated the death of one man as if it were a Superbowl win, have a little class and dignity.  Schadenfraud is a feeling best kept to oneself.  I understand why you are elated, but the sword of justice should not be swung with a light heart.  Killing, while sometimes necessary, is not an occasion for celebration. 

Veteran’s Day

Today is Veteran’s Day.  Our military is voluntary, and a lot of people forget that.  The men and women that pledge their lives to the service of their country do it because they want to.  Some may do it for college, others for adventure, and still others because they don’t have any better options, but they all sign that line and take the oath of their own free will.  It is a beautiful thing.

While I was in I served with a great group of wildly diverse people.  My wife was asking about my friends from the Army, I told her that the guys in my platoon were more like family.  They really were, I lived with them, ate with them, worked with them, and took really weird camping trips that we called field problems with them.  I was with these guys for work and play day in and day out.  I never served in combat, but a lot of those I have served with did.  I don’t know of any that have died in combat, and I am thankful for that. 

Today, several restaurant chains are offering free food for our nations veterans.  But it sucks to eat alone.  So, I ask anyone that reads this.  Take a veteran to lunch or dinner today.  Check the link and take them to a place where they will eat free. take them somewhere else, or just invite them over for a home cooked meal.   It doesn’t matter as long as they know they are appreciated and are surrounded by friends.  If you read this late, Golden Corral is doing free food on Monday.  Also veterans appreciate appreciation any day of the year. 

From one veteran to all the others.  Thanks for your service. 

Yesterday, I went to lunch with a guy named Joe.  Joe served in Iraq and came back paralyzed from the waist down.  He went to Walter Reid where they told him he would probably never walk again.  Thankfully, he defied the odds and now has full use of his legs.  Joe is a great guy. I am glad that I had lunch with him and got to know him better.