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A tribute to the Walk of Honor
Editor's note: Mary Cantrell had two poems for last week's Highland County Veteran's Memorial Dedication. The one published last week was included with the program. She also wrote the dedication poem below, and read it at the dedication.
In Tribute: The Walk of Honor
Copyright 2007 by Mary Cantrell
There is no greater sacrifice than that of one who leaves his family and
home to serve and to be willing to die for his country.
The veteran embraces freedom and is cloaked in courage.
The veteran honors his flag and knows too well the price that was paid for
our freedoms!
Because of your heroic selfless patriotism today and that of those who
have gone before you, our flag continues to symbolize
freedom and democracy.
The Monongahela River flowed with the blood of those who fought in the
French-Indian War.
The steps of Appomattox Court House became the final resting place of the
bloodshed and the division of the Civil War.
Only then and there did the healing of a broken nation begin.
The Fields of Flanders bear witness to the cruelty and sadness of war.
Oh how it humbles our hearts.
The world witnessed the fall of Nazi domination as the American flag was
flown from the barrel of a tank as it rolled through Berlin.
The flag flew from a twisted piece of metal from the devastation of the
USS Arizona that floated in the waters of Pearl Harbor.
Old glory was raised on a hill in Iwo Jima.
It was even placed on a rotten stump in the miry infested
swamps of Korea.
Our flag was flown from a rudder of a rescue helicopter as it defied enemy
fire over Danang.
You rolled Old Glory into the streets of Kuwait and boldly proclaimed
their freedom from the tyranny of Saddam Hussein. Nineteen cowards, on
September 11th, were so ignorant to think that our flag would like wasted
in the rubble. It was again raised from the burnt earth and hoisted on a
beam of steel.
Today, our hearts are with our forces in Iraq and all over the world.
We honor the veterans who have guarded our home front from downtown
Manhattan to the Pacific Ocean.
Today, this Walk of Honor is yours in its entire splendor
Your courage, your legacy and your spirit: we will always remember!
You have known heartache and you have known fear
You have tasted the saltiness of your own tears
Comrades wounded and fallen in battle before your eyes
"Leaving no brother behind" became your battle cries.
You have fought for justice and peace on foreign sod
To create a democratic path our children can trod
Peace to you and all of your kin
All who love America and its veterans say, "Amen, amen."
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