Sunday, May 24, 2009

Freedom Is Not Free



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

22 comments:

Fragrant Liar said...

So true. So many don't get it. Freedom doesn't come free.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend.

Sarge Charlie said...

all gave some, some gave all, I will never forget

Unknown said...

fl...I wish you a safe weekend as well. Thanks for sstopping by!

Unknown said...

sarge...amen!

K-Dubyah said...

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.

Unknown said...

ky...I thank you for taking the time to remember our fallen!

Mike Golch said...

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.

Coffeypot said...

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.

Unknown said...

mike...it is such an important weekend for those of us who hold deep respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice!

Unknown said...

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!

Just Be Real said...

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.

MightyMom said...

amen!

and a special thank you to airmanmom today for her sacrifices and the service of her sons and hubster.

Unknown said...

just be real...a warm thank you to your brother. I will never forget the price he and his comrades paid!

Unknown said...

mighty mom...I am most grateful for your kind words.

Mary said...

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

Unknown said...

mary...I thank you for taking the time to read these words! God Bless!

aurbie said...

A wonderful tribute. Thank you.

commoncents said...

Thanks AM.

I have 4 videos on CC you may like:
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

joanne said...

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.

Unknown said...

cc...I truly enjoyed my visit to your blog and have linked in on my Monday post! Thank you for your service!

Unknown said...

joj...amen

Unknown said...

patty...thank you for taking the tie to stop by and read these words!