On this Memorial Day, I woke early wondering how I could honor the fallen soldiers who paid the highest sacrifice. I read over the past messages, some repeated and they were admirable remembrances. I almost posted them again but I stopped short because this thought came to mind and I wanted to share it.
A soldier is called to go wherever he or she is ordered. They are not sent because they believe in a certain war or encounter…they are sent because they have been trained to answer the call for action. I haven’t served so I speak from an outsider’s point of view, but my father, uncles, brothers, cousins, classmates, and my husband and one of his sons have donned the uniform proudly. I haven’t lost an immediate family member but I know several of my friends who have and I write this more for them as they understand fully the meaning of my focus…..Is A Soldier Just A Soldier?
Not to take away from others memorial poems but I felt led to write a poem last year thinking about A Soldier’s Last Night. I felt an attachment to this somber moment and a deep felt gratitude. A Soldier is Never Just A Soldier! They are human beings with all of the same feelings we experience, Love, Hurt, Joy, and Pain but in addition they truly understand the emotions behind Commitment and Dedication as well as Loyalty. They are Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, Mothers, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, Sons and Daughters. They are family! Let us remember when we honor the fallen and understand the reality when we see an active soldier, he or she are facing the possibility of the ultimate sacrifice in their future. A Soldier is Never Just A Soldier but the reason we live in freedom. Respect them as they pay the price that others aren’t willing to pay.
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 31, 2021
(C) Copyright 2012-2021 Arline Miller of Sipping Cups of Inspiration with all rights and privileges reserved. Third party Material is sourced to original location/author, if known, for credit references.
Thank you to all the men and women who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom! Freedom is not free! Beautiful poem Arline! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and honoring our fallen heroes! God Bless America! ❤️🇺🇸
Perfectly said, there is no free freedom. The price has been paid by many who had family that planned on them coming home. It is never to be taken for granted. Thanks for you input. Have a Memorial Day of remembrance.
Glad you liked the poem
I loved the poem and thanks for your acknowledgement. People can check out your poems at http://www.sacredpoems.com Thanks so much