Freedom Is Not Free
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of TAPS one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That TAPS had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.
- Kelly Strong
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of TAPS one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That TAPS had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.
- Kelly Strong
22 comments:
So true. So many don't get it. Freedom doesn't come free.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend.
all gave some, some gave all, I will never forget
fl...I wish you a safe weekend as well. Thanks for sstopping by!
sarge...amen!
Prayers for all the men and women who are standing guard for us, and for the families of those who answered the call...
Thanks, AM.
ky...I thank you for taking the time to remember our fallen!
the sad thing is that there are some people that are just glad to have the 3 day weekend and not taking time to remember why we have memorial day.I for one will never forget that a lot of young men never got the chance to grow old.
One of the best poems I've seen in quiet a while. I'll borrow it to email to my peeps, if you don't mind.
mike...it is such an important weekend for those of us who hold deep respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice!
coffeypot...I thank you for sharing this poem, it is well worth the time to read!!!! Hopefully, it touches the heart of one who needs a gentle reminder of what this weekend is all about!
So very true. Many do not get it. My bro. served in the Vietnam war, so I know what he went through. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
amen!
and a special thank you to airmanmom today for her sacrifices and the service of her sons and hubster.
just be real...a warm thank you to your brother. I will never forget the price he and his comrades paid!
mighty mom...I am most grateful for your kind words.
AM,
Amen, Sister. Freedom is NOT free. Many have given, and some are still giving, the ultimate sacrifice so we can live in freedom.
Happy Memorial Day.
Blessings,
Mary
mary...I thank you for taking the time to read these words! God Bless!
A wonderful tribute. Thank you.
Thanks AM.
I have 4 videos on CC you may like:
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com
Prayers for all these wonderful young men and women. Thank you so much for giving me the life I have because of your service to God and our country. God Bless You All.
cc...I truly enjoyed my visit to your blog and have linked in on my Monday post! Thank you for your service!
joj...amen
patty...thank you for taking the tie to stop by and read these words!
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