The Vets’ Park

“I PLEDGE allegiance, to the FLAG, of the UNITED States of America . . . “

Some words hang in the air.
A little more power put them there;
a pledge from an aging Vet
to future generations not met.
In Paris, Maine today,
they start the meeting with the pledge,
at the end they pray.

The town selectmen have come to vote,
usually an affair of very little note.
Today the chairs are full.
Old Veterans, tough as bulls,
will debate the size of a monument.
The town wants a smaller space,
but war heroes know what a few yards mean.

The old soldiers came to fight today,
grandfatherly, stooped, wrinkled, and gray.
They sat at ready in their seats,
hearing the far-off bugle and drumbeats.
The goal the same since the nation’s birth,
seemed so simple and elementary;
ten feet of precious earth.

They marched into a hail of fire,
a commitment we should admire.
Brothers-in-arms fell wounded and dead,
their blood stained the ground red.
Just a few yards of coveted land
the goal then some small field or swamp,
“give us all the space promised,” they demand.

In the end the park was to be built.
Selectmen sneaked out, burdened with guilt.
The Veterans stood and applauded,
envisioning an honor for brothers’ dead,
and those who have served well
from this small town in the hills,
where American heroes still dwell.

As I breathe the winter’s air.
I am thankful people still care.
I salute and thank each aging Vet,
for every generation is in their debt.
I am from a small town, like Paris, Maine
and am glad they still can pray.
Let freedom reign today and every day!

“One NATION under GOD!”

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Lou Marin, 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.

Lou 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.