Living to Be Worthy of the Cost

"SENIOR CENTER FORUM"  Third Place, 5/30/09

He knew not what awaited him
When he went off to fight the war.
He left behind his mom, his dad,
His girl, his friends, his home, and more.

How could he know the price to pay
Would cost him all he had to give.
Departure sad, but happy too,
Exciting days were yet to live.

He made new friends and saw new sights,
Letters were written, gifts were bought,
War's not too bad, he wrote to them.
The real foe yet to be fought.

When his battle for peace arrived,
He prayed to God he would be brave.
A war was won, but lives were lost,
Keeping honor, all else he gave.

We remember every day
The lives they gave and what they lost.
Not just on Memorial Day,
The price so high, the lives it cost.

If one had the luck to return,
The price to pay, almost as high.
Nightmares, Agent Orange, Syndromes,
Sometimes wishing that one could die.

We remember every one
Who fought for us and won or lost.
We thank you for our liberties.
We pray our lives are worth the cost.