IN GRATITUDE
by Steve Wolford

 

At Bryan and Yale where the marigolds grow,
Wooden signs at attention, row upon row,
Stand guard in the park bearing thousands of faces,
And here and there in the twilight amid silent embraces
The faithful appear to give voice to these brave
And to honor the fallen who yet speak from the grave.
 
As I stroll through the rows I’m overcome by this loss,
And overwhelmed by the numbers I am tempted to gloss
Over each name and the words that explain,
Date, rank and cause of the loss and the pain.
These too-few-words on a mother’s heart weigh,
I need to read slowly at this sacrificial display.
 
‘Extraordinary heroism’ and ‘uncommon valor’ are here,
‘Ultimate selfless act of bravery’, I read on with a tear.
‘Redeployed to heaven’, ‘in total disregard for his own life’,
‘Mom and Dad don’t forget me’, the words cut like a knife.
You are not forgotten, Jake, so much loss is my gain,
And I want say Thank You, you’ve not died in vain.
 
Overwhelmed by my selfishness amid flicker of flames,
I’m not worthy tonight to call out these names:
Daily, Martino, Probst, Taylor, Santee,
These are our heroes; they gave all for me,
And as I lifted my head the flags danced in the breeze
I felt convicted inside – how I walk away with such ease.
 
I am the reason you paid the ultimate price,
And as I stand with my freedom, words hardly suffice.
Thank you sons and daughters, and fathers and mothers
Thank you  families all, and you sisters and brothers.
You give us your all, you give us your best,
I want to say thank you, because of you we are blessed.
 
We stand with our freedom here at Bryan and Yale
4995 heroes; oh, may we not fail
To give thanks for the price each one of them paid,
And to celebrate their lives and the sacrifice made.
And as bugle horn penetrates our free evening sky-
As we stand in these rows, This we know…God is nigh.
 
©July 1, 2009  Steve Wolford
All rights reserved, please contact Steve Wolford swolford1@cox.net