From the ramparts the banner flew,Rich, bright, red, white, and blue.Eagle-strong the defenders stood,Even though death was understood.Defeat meant an Continue Reading
Philosophy & Poetry
Hallway of Heroes
My worn boot heels echoupon the polished hallway tile.Sometimes soft tiptoesare more appropriatethan a purposeful stride. From dusty wallsand Continue Reading
Cpl. Frank Buckles
"Remember my lost and fallen brothers,"the old man said in a trembling voice.Now we are left with but one choice,as each man's death follows Continue Reading
What is America
America is beautiful.America is ugly.America is cruel.America is kind.America is generous.America is selfish.America is caring.America is Continue Reading
Voice for a Community
Where heroes lay and widows cry Blankets of truth Still seen Burdens so weighty Time barely moves past Seconds are hours When lost Continue Reading
Parcels of Tin and Cloth
by Nick Orton Parcels of tin and cloth Trinkets of earned and given pride Pinned close to the heart Traditional rites handed down Continue Reading
Darrell “Shifty” Powers
No mass media coverage.No sad eyed CNN reportertold of his gentle sweetnesswhile ignoring daemons that raged. Shifty Powers died today,and a better Continue Reading
Growth vs. Progress: Why the Words Matter More Than We Realize
We throw words around. We hear them in keynotes, read them in self-help books, and toss them into conversations as if we all agree on what they Continue Reading
Chickamauga Ghosts
It's always September 19and the ghosts wanderas I stop to ponderthrough a fog screen. 19,000 young men deadbefore the silence came.Yank and Reb the Continue Reading
I Had A Lover Once
War was my lover, once. She allured me, slowly and cunningly Whispers of foreign lands, dreams of glory, brotherhood, and valor I had a lover Continue Reading
When Grief Knocks and God Answers
So exhausted, so brokenRivers of tearsToo much loss for me to bearGriefYou may not camp here, but you must visit, reason, and decide how and why you Continue Reading
Built To Last
Punch. Punch. Thwack. Punch.Ten hours straight, 30 minute lunch.Bucking rivets into turbine shrouds,"Pratt Built Is Best Built,"says the Continue Reading