yuccarob Loc: Las Vegas, NV

FREEDOM ISN'T FREE

by CDR Kelly Strong, USCG (Ret).




I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of taps one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.

wonkytripod Loc: Peterborough UK

How true, great shot, best wishes from the UK :thumbup:

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

:thumbup: :thumbup: Easily forgotten with the BBQ's and fireworks nowadays.

Audie Thornburg Loc: Eureka, Kansas

This brought tears to my eyes. Thank You for posting, and Thank You to all those who served and especially to all those who gave ALL. Thank You for OUR FREEDOM!!!

Jim Irvine Loc: Indiana

Beautiful photo! Thanks to all who have served to preserve my freedom.

shockwild Loc: S. California

Nice composition yuccarob, good eye!!!