To Our Absent Brothers

"To Our Absent Brothers"

They finished a fine noble monument
in our town the other day.
It glistens bright on the village green,
in prominent display.

It's a grand and noble structure
raised by a grateful land.
Yet I recall a simpler one
of steel and wood and sand.

I kept my eyes on our point man.
He was the first to go down.
I saw how the bullets spun him
and slammed him to the ground.

The night seemed to last forever
but it finally came to an end.
And no longer were some strangers,
for each was the others best friend.

I looked over at the Captain,
and he silently answered me.
And he took my arm and nodded
then turned so he couldn't see.

So I walked back to our point man,
to the place where I saw him fall.
For dawn had brought with it a quiet,
with the peace of God and all.

And I covered him with a poncho,
and then to be sure he'd be found,
I fixed bayonet to rifle
and shoved it in the ground.

There wasn't much more anyone could do.
My tribute seemed a trifle.
So I picked a battered helmet up
and placed it on the rifle.

Long years have passed since I saw
him fall that cold and frightful night.
Now his name is carved in marble,
but something didn't set right.

The helmet on the rifle
seemed a far more fitting shrine.
For the rifle was my brothers,
and the helmet, it was mine.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
Brother of mine...I miss you so.

Memorial Plaques compliments
Flag at halfstaff compliments Kurrus	More Graphics Links

"Seaside"
Composed by Jim Eshleman