Veterans Day by a veteran

Veterans Day

As I kneel at the altar of respect and memory

I think of what soldiers have done for our country.

It is a day of reflection and recognizing veterans.

They saved others and are this world's defense.

I am in awe of the will, the courage, the unity,

The strength, the unwavering support of many,

A desire to win; to serve; to rebuild; to prevail.

I ask our Father that He revisit our leaders today.

Death and destruction follow where armies tread.

There is no other way to fight an enemy that is led

To destroy us in the past, now, and in the future too.

Words are just words; only real strength will do.

I also ask that those demanding a soldier's labor

Would be as true and loyal to this bloody savior

As he and she are in their duty and total dedication

To a sometimes unappreciative and disabling nation.

Think of veterans slogging through mud, paddies, snow

And laying down at night not knowing about tomorrow.

Think of them cresting a ridge in a lonely, far away land,

Waiting for God to beckon them suddenly into His hand.

Think of them sailing deep, dark oceans seething beneath.

Consider those flying into the unknown, bombs underneath

Their feet, hoping they do not flame out or fly into the earth.

Think of them doing their jobs, risking all of their worth.

Think of them. Support them. Laud them. Revere them.

They are our heroes, our protectors, our veterans.

Salute them. Do it every day of every year without fail.

Remember the commitment of those who did prevail.

The Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force,

The Coastguard, the Seabees, the nurses and USO,

The wives, husbands, fathers, mothers and siblings

Are heroes with a hand in the Liberty Bell's ringing.

Mike Mullins, 11/11/07

Michael D. "Moon" Mullins, author of "Vietnam in Verse, poetry for beer drinkers." "ViV" won the Gold Medal for poetry, 2007, from the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). The book is available on line from on-line Amazon, B&N, and B-a-M book stores.
It is available as an audio-book from the author. Please contact me at this e-mail address; mullins.m.1@comcast.net or via land mail at POB 456 Windfall, In. 46076.
Vietnam Veteran, Delta 3/7, 199th Light Infantry, '68-'69.
Vice President of the MWSA. One dollar from either version goes to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Thank YOU for your service, Mike.