Memorial Day Thought

jaypager

Modest Cue Addict
Silver Member
A Protest raged on a courthouse lawn,
Round a makeshift stage they charged on,
Fifteen hundred or more they say,
Had come to burn a FLAG that day
A boy held up the folded FLAG,
Cursed it and called it a dirty Rag.

Then, an Old man pushed thru the angry crowd
With his trusty Rifle shouldered Proud
His uniform jacket was old and tight
But he had polished each button Shiny and bright
He crossed the stage with an officer's grace
Till he and the boy stood FACE TO FACE.

Freedom of SPeech, the old man said,
Is worth dying for and some good men are DEAD,
So you all can stand on this courthouse lawn
And talk to us from dusk till dawn,
BUT Before any Flag gets burned today
THIS OLD MAN IS GOING TO HAVE HIS SAY!

"My Father died on a foreign shore
in a war that was supposed to end all wars.
My brother and I weren't even full grown,
Before we fought in a war of our own.
My brother died on Iwo Jima's beach,
In the shadow of a hill they couldn't quite reach.
Where five brave men raised the FLag so high,
That the whole Damn world could see it Fly.
I got this Bum leg that I still DRAG
Fighting for that same old FLag.

Now ther's only one shot in this old GUN,
So it's time to decide which one:
Which one of you will follow OUR LEAD,
TO STAND AND DIE FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE?

For as sure as ther's a rising sun
You'll burn in hell before this flag burns, Son.

This riot never came to pass
the crowd got quiet, and that can of gas
got set aside, and they all walked away
Talking about what they saw that day.
And the boy who called it a Dirty Rag ,
Handed the Old Soldier the Folded Flag!!

Another battle for the Flag this day was won
By a tired Old Soldier and his trusty gun.
Who for one last time had to show to some
THIS FLAG MAY FADE BUT THESE COLORS DON'T RUN!!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA and vice versa
 
Thank you for reminding us all

That was wonderful. It brought a lot of tears. Thank you for reminding us about this holiday we celebrate our freedom and those who gave all for that freedom.:)
Charlie
 
INDEED! THANK YOU FOR YOUR HEART FELT STORY, AND THOUGHTS! DO I HEAR A AMEN!
dacue
 
grand father, father, and kids

On Memorial Day I don't wave a flag or any of that stuff, I just remember my time in, I think about my fathers time in and both of my in-laws time in. I also think about my two daughters who have joined and my youngest who will be joining. I thank my friends that were in and I remember it's just us normal everyday people who protect this country and respect it for what it is.
Hope all enjoy the day that our fallen have provided for us and all come back as safe as can be.
 
Can't help it. Here is a patch to wear and make a statement today.

t_2422.gif
 
as a desert shield/storm veteran, I thank you Jay

a line needs to be drawn in ALL of the situations akin to your post...

your post is part of that line sir!
 
scruggsinhand said:
as a desert shield/storm veteran, I thank you Jay

a line needs to be drawn in ALL of the situations akin to your post...

your post is part of that line sir!

I was in the 3rd armor division desert shield/storm
Here is one of my favorites you might have seen it.



Father Dennis Edward O'Brien
 
Thanks Jay for the thought

It never gets old, telling people like the servicemembers how much we appreciete them. I served 2 tours in Viet Nam before I was 20 and went on to serve 35 years federal service as a civilian, much of that time at Ft. Bragg with Special Forces and XVIII Abn Corps. The personal sacrifice of too many of our servicemembers was all too evident during my last 6 years of service which was with Walter Reed. I salute all who have served. Thank you.
 
Jay,Really thoughtful and thought provoking post.I hope we all keep our servicemen and ladies,past and present in our thoughts and prayers.Mike S.
 
will8834 said:
I was in the 3rd armor division desert shield/storm
Here is one of my favorites you might have seen it.



Father Dennis Edward O'Brien
It is the Soldier,
not the reporter who has given us freedom of press
It is the Soldier,
not the poet who has given us freedom of speech
It is the Soldier,
not the campus organizer who gives us freedom to demonstrate
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.



Yes I've seen this and it's what prompted
The poem /story above to be written
Obviously one of my favorites as well and quite a true-ism.

JAY
 
Two sticks of Fruit stripe Gum Preferably Yellow and Green
And as many Swedish fish as you can get in your hand

Thanks
Jay
 
Happy Memorial Day.

Just came back on here to find this old poem. It is going to be read at
a service this weekend by my son. In honor of all who serve and have served.

Thank You and May God Bless You

Jay
 
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