I was inspired to write a poem and I cried when I read the words I had written. I
don’t express this as an attempt for attention but I felt this one in my soul.
A Soldier’s Last Night
As I woke from a restful sleep, I began to wonder
How a lonely soldier felt about his chosen plight.
In the trenches, so far away from home, so somber.
Did he know the ultimate price he would pay tonight?
As he lay in the muddy hole which would be his last
His heart, did it pound or was he unusually calm?
Did he stay alert, did he pray, and that tear fall fast?
His silent cry, his grip tightened, only thoughts of harm.
Did he think about the protests and why he was here?
Or did he only try to overcome any temptation to run?
Did he find the urge to do his best and to hide any fear?
He may not have known his job on earth was done.
Did those hours before his end seem like a million years?
Was it true that one’s life does indeed flash before the eyes?
We may never know, only a brave soldier’s mind would veer.
We come to pay homage at the cold grave where he lies.
A small flag stands as a symbol of his ultimate sacrifice.
A cross may stand to remind us of his absence of life.
To you, the soldier who stood tall and paid the price
For Our Freedom, let us honor and recognize your strife.
Written by Arline Miller with homage and respect for all of
The Fallen and Gone but Never Forgotten.
Happy Memorial Day, May 25, 2020
This last Friday and Saturday were filled with my husband, Greg Miller, participating in the flag placement activity. He made me so proud of him for posting, calling, asking neighbors and businesses to donate flags to be placed on the graves at Oakridge Cemetery in advance for today’s celebration. Our neighbors, Lowes, and many other organizations, including American Legion, civic leaders and citizens donated and placed about 1400 flags. One of our neighbors, Ike Branch, was active in the placement event right along with Greg and about 40 dedicated participants.
An additional tribute and such a life lesson taught by Greg for and with our oldest grandsons, Abram, Jonas, and Nolan Miller on how to properly respect and depose of the existing flags taken from the cemetery. They readily filled the need to ready the flags for the retiring ceremony to be completed by local scout group. Respect is taught at an early age and continues throughout life.
Abram, Jonas, and Nolan Miller making sure the flags are properly dismantled and taken for the flag retirement ceremony by the Boy Scouts.
(C) Copyright 2012-2020 Arline Miller of Sipping Cups of Inspiration with all rights and privileges reserved. Third party material, including photos, are sourced to origination, if known, for credit reference.
Beautiful expression..