Emotions run deep in the minds, hearts and souls throughout America as we approach Veterans Day. Let's begin this weekend reflecting on the events that led to the establishment of this day's celebration.
The Great War: WWI
With war in Europe, all eyes and ears
remained keenly aware of its presence and acutely alert to its impact on the
United States. Courage and allegiance to America remained stalwart in the face
of imminent danger; battles were won and lost on foreign soil.
Landscapes
collapsed under the brutality of war
Relinquishing timeless relics unto life’s plight
Variegated
shades of crimson covered the hillsides
Capturing
lifelessness within dawn’s early light
The encumbrance
of blight, life in death
Shrouded fields once lush from flowing streams
Spoils and scars saddled the countryside
While endless
flames blazed even in dreams
Night became
bright as day
As flashes
riveted across a star-shelled sky
Blood curdling sights and sounds
Echoed within each
and every battle cry
One water bottle
for forty men
Such anguish one
could not ignore
The ghastly stench of death and dying
One could only
gravely abhor
Anticipation of
life’s last breath
Made even the
brightest day pale
Yet in the midst
of such bleak darkness
Hopes of peace nonetheless prevailed
Singing and whistling heard from the trenches
Authenticated
life still truly existed
Despite the cold, hunger and suffering
Never once was
the question why I enlisted
“A
man who is good enough to shed his blood for the country
is good enough to be
given a square deal afterwards.”
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919)
©2012 Awakenings Sharla Lee Shults |
Thank you, Sharla for reminding us of the importance of Veterans Day. My dad was a WWII Veteran. I'll never forget the sacrifices he made.
ReplyDeleteDicy
Hello Sharla,
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to reflect on yesterdays. It is because of these sacrifices made for us we have our freedom. God Bless the USA and its veterans.
Thank you Sharla for this blog post to remind all of us of the importance of this special day!
ReplyDeleteIt's so special to remember all the sacrifices!