Wednesday, November 11, 2009

11/11/09


On this Veteran's Day I am so thankful for those men and women who have given so much of themselves for our freedom. Some have given of themselves with their life, others by being away from family, friends and their own dreams and wishes. They give so much.... all so I can sit here tonight in a warm home surrounded by my family without the worries that so many others around the world are feeling at this moment.

Here is a poem I saw today at school for our Veteran's Day chapel. I loved it and searched online to find it. It gives you something to really think about...

The Soldier

It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier,
who salutes the flag,
who serves under the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.

By Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC

1 comment:

Sandy said...

Oh, I love this poem! I recently had the "opportunity" to observe the ceremony that the USO does any time there is a coffin coming into or through the airport that is a fallen soldier. It is so impressive & such a reminder of how precious our freedom is. Thanks for posting this.