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Reveille: Honoring our Military, Veterans and the Fallen


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Ditto!

 

Something I wrote after visiting before the 85 Jambo.

 

ARLINGTON

 

A hush hangs silent on rolling hills,

verdant green and shade trees,

monuments of aging granite,

myriad rows of crosses

interspersed with stars and wheels.

Crowds throng,

walk softly, speak with quiet voices,

though subdued laughter still is heard

above the guides dull drones.

At the Unknowns Tomb

The hush is dense;

hundreds watch the changing guards salute,

blank faced, in perfect rote,

the simple stone sarcophagus.

A wreath is laid;

a bugle sounds;

Taps echoes,

somber, wrenching notes rising

hauntingly

past half-staffed Flag

towards heaven.

Below,

the Eternal Flame flares,

flickering before the grave

of a generations shattered dreams;

in front, chiseled on an arcing wall,

his challenge;

Ask not what your country can do for you;

but, what you can do for your country!

Crowds stand reading.

Above it all Arlington House stands,

the Custis-Lee mansion,

a joining of North and South.

A squirrel chatters;

birds sing and warble;

God blesses this quiet place of Honor,

a silent tribute to Freedom.

 

8-2-85; edited 5-25-08

(This message has been edited by skeptic)

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