229 Years Later

Independence Day
in Mid America.
Flags flying high.
Military men march
in column form.
Old Glory foremost.
“Yo Left yo right yo left.
Right-turn…Harch!”
New ribbons hang from old uniforms.
Aged chests still swell with pride.
They have been to hell and back,
just so you and I
can slouch, rank and file,
and watch them pass.

Did you stand and remove cover,
place it over your heart,
when the man said,
“let us pray.
Remain on your feet
for “‘Oh say can you see…'”
Were you too busy,
chatting and chuckling,
thinking of fireworks,
backyard bar-b-que,
and beer…rivers of beer,
glorious beer,
to remember your country.
Wow it’s a long weekend.
No work for four days.
NASCAR Saturday night,
NBC and lap- by-lap replay.

Thank God for:
The Soldier, Marine, Airman,
and Seaman too.
For 229 years,
they went forth to
do what God and Country
would have them do,
so your calendar can keep
on bringing 4th of July to you.

_____________________________

Lou, a Christian grateful for Jesus’ gift to him, was born and raised in the western hills of Maine, then spent 20 plus years wandering the country and world in the United States Air Force. Maine Department of American Legion’s Historian, he is a photographer and stringer for The Maine Trust for Local News, published poet and short story writer who pens faith-based devotionals. He lives in Rumford, Maine. He is author of an anthology of poems based upon his military career entitled: Dimly Seen Through The Mists, and a book of faith-based poems entitled: My Lighthouse In Troubled Times, available through Pen It! Publications. He can be reached at mbsphotog@yahoo.com or his Facebook Page.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.