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Life IS history in the making. Every word we say, everything we do becomes history the moment it is said or done. Life void of memories leaves nothing but emptiness. For those who might consider history boring, think again: It is who we are, what we do and why we are here. We are certainly individuals in our thoughts and deeds but we all germinated from seeds planted long, long ago.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Amazing Grace in Wartime


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.

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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

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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

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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

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One water bottle for forty men
Such anguish one could not ignore
The ghastly stench of death and dying
One could only gravely abhor

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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

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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

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“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




3 comments:

  1. 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.
    Dicy

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  2. Hello Sharla,
    It 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.

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  3. Thank you Sharla for this blog post to remind all of us of the importance of this special day!
    It's so special to remember all the sacrifices!

    ReplyDelete