"The Veteran"

Here's wishing all of our friends a very happy and safe Memorial Day and best wishes for a terrific summer ahead!

If you have a moment today, please stop and reflect on what freedom means to you. Better yet, thank a veteran for defending the ideals we all hold dear. It's amazing how much a simple gesture can mean - a smile, wave, handshake, hug, or pat on the back.

In the spirit of the day, I'd like to share the poem "The Veteran," which is inscribed on a memorial stone outside of American Legion Post 184 at the southwest corner of Atlantic & Roberts Avenues.

I discovered this for the first time over the weekend, and it really made me stop and think...


THE VETERAN

WHAT MAKES A 19 YEAR OLD INTO A VETERAN?
THAT FIRST BATTLE YOU'RE IN?
THAT FIRST BULLET THAT'S SHOT AT YOU?
THAT FIRST ENEMY SOLDIER YOU KILL?
THAT FIRST SOLDIER THAT DIES NEXT TO YOU?
THAT FIRST FEELING THAT YOU'RE A DEAD MAN?
WAITING YOUR TURN TO DIE?

YOU FELT BUT COULD NEVER EXPLAIN THE HORROR OF WAR
YOU'RE NOW A VETERAN AN EXCLUSIVE GROUP
ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU ARE THAT YOUNG MAN AT VALLEY FORGE
THE SAILOR IN 1812, THE YANK OR REB AT GETTSYBURG
YOU'RE THE KID ON SAN JUAN HILL, THE DOUGHBOY IN THE ARGONNE
THE COASTGUARD ON D-DAY AT NORMANDY BEACH
THE NURSE ON CORREGIDOR, THE AIRMEN IN KOREA
THE YOUNG MARINE IN VIETNAM
A CASUALTY IN BEIRUT AND PANAMA

YOU KNOW THESE MEN NOW, THEY MUST HAVE FELT THE SAME
A BULLET TEARS AND RECKLESSLY INTRUDES THE FLESH
WHETHER IT'S AT THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN OR THE SEIGE AT CONTIEM

WHAT IS THIS WORD VETERAN?
THE FEAR OF MEETING THE ENEMY OR CRYING OF THE WOUNDED
OR YELLING AND CONFUSION IN BATTLE
IS IT THE EXPLOSIONS AROUND YOU
THE SMELL OF GUNPOWDER AND BLOOD THAT INVADES YOUR SENSES?
COULD IT BE THE AWESOMENESS OF DEATH AROUND YOU
THE OVERPOWERING WONDER OF YOUR PALS DESTRUCTION AND YOUR SURVIVAL?
COULD IT BE THE SHADOW OF GUILT?
COULD IT BE ALL THESE THINGS?

THE COMING HOME
YOU ARE A VETERAN
AN HONOR WITH HAUNTING MEMORIES

AND AS A PARENT WITH SONS OF YOUR OWN YOU LOOK AT THEM
AND HOPE, NO PRAY, OH GOD, PLEASE LET THERE BE
NO MORE WAR
LET THERE BE NO MORE VETERANS