Thanking a Veteran

In the winter, in the summer
wherever we see the stars and stripes,
those who have bravely served,
those who went into battle for us.

Stop and thank them, the veterans,
for they stood in the breach;
standing up for our freedoms
because freedom isn’t free.

Acknowledge their sacrifice,
for some of them never came back,
others still wounded in ways
only they can comprehend.

Stop and thank them, the veterans,
whether of this generation or the last;
all of them choosing to serve
to go when our nation called.


----
Edited September 11, 2012
new poem, “Thanking a Veteran”
&
All of my Veteran’s Day poems
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/search/label/Veteran%E2%80%99s%20Day
&
All of my Memorial Day poems
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/search/label/Memorial%20Day
& earlier poem:
November 11, 2010
“In the Rain, in that Place”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/11/in-rain-in-that-place.html
Veteran’s Day 2010
and remembering being
at the Vietnam Memorial
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Veterans_Memorial
during the 10th anniversary
Veteran’s Day 1992

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 23,410+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.