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Arlington at Christmas

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell...

Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

Our Freedom Isn’t Free
Written and recited for The NM Elks Lodge Flag Day Ceremony June 14th 2007
by Vanessa A. Griego Gulf War Veteran

I am a U.S veteran; the Armywas my choice. I’m grateful for this moment here to stand and speak my voice. The topic that I represent with pride and glory true, about the flag we know and love; the red, the white and blue. The flag still stands for freedom; for the strong and for the weak. To give us all the right we have to open up and speak. For Flag Day is an honor that we owe our happiness, to soldiers whom have served us well, in this country where we’re blessed.
The U.S flag we know and love Old Glory! Stars and Stripes! May under God, we always pledge, to stand for what is right. Our flag in which we put our faith, our love, our hopes and trust, this flag in which we should respect for righteous peace we must. A flag, that in so many lands, she's horribly abused. By being burned and torn apart, dishonored, and refused. The burning of our nations flag dishonors those who rest. For them I will defend her still and always do my best. To show the people of the world the good that we have done through battles of land, and air and sea, in victories we’ve won.
The colors of our nations flag depict a sacred song, like brothers names upon a wall as those of Vietnam. We’ve planted her on foreign lands in dirt with stains of red, forgetting not, Korean vets whose blood they also shed. The caring of, disabled vets, becomes our nations plight. For wounded heroes shine the way like peaceful stars of white. For World War two, a star of blue is hanging in the glass, while mothers mourn, upon a cross that rests above the grass.
I'm proud to be American, in knowing that I’m free, to men and women whom have served who gave that right to me. For every fallen soldier, and for every life they’d give to guarantee our freedom and the liberty we live. For those who served beside me and for those who serves us now, let us fly our flag up proudly and show other nations how. For a desert’s storm can blind a heart and make some turn their backs, but avenging souls of nine one, one (9*1*1) is why we’re in Iraq. We all need to come together, not divided but as one, to stand up tall to terrorists and show them how it's done!
It brings me such emotion when I think about the brave, the strength, the blood, the sweat and tears their lives in which they gave, for us to have a freedom that no other people know. A life without oppression, where our kids are free to grow. Our troops will have to travel far, with guns in hand, to face the war. They leave their loved ones far behind so we can be with yours and mine. To fly the flag in which we raise, some have to fill an honored grave, with blood they know they’ll have to shed, for stars and stripes of blue and red. The flag draped caskets that we see honoring the bold of those that stay forever young so we can still grow old. We give the flag with memories secured within its folds, to loved ones that are left behind, what’s left of those to hold. What glory and such honor! So brave! So strong! So young! Please rest yourselves in peace my friends, your duty here is done. And though you may not be a soldier fighting for your land their voice is crying from the grave, “Stand up and take a stand!” for of their death and sacrifice they bought a brand new day to wave the flag and raise your hand and let you have your say. So fly that flag with honor through whatever storms descend, that united we shall stand together and be faithful till the end. Until all our soldiers come from war, until the battle ends. Until everyone is safe at home, with family and friends, I shall fly my nations flag with joy for all the world to see that through serving all humanity our freedom isn’t free.

Freedom
by Ian Thompson, USMC

"I wish that you were here"
My wife whispers on the phone
Too many times
She has realized
That freedom is not free

"No go away, Daddy"
My little girl says
She’s barely two
But already knows
That freedom is not free

I have a little boy
Born three months ago
When I return
He’ll be near one
Since freedom is not free

My parents often worry
When I am away
They mourn for me
And what I miss
Since freedom is not free

There are children in this world
Rich and poor alike
Whose parents do
Not understand
That freedom is not free

There are men who face evil
For the sake of all
By their stand
We realize
That freedom is not free

There is a God Almighty
Nailed upon a cross
He paid the price
That we might live
For freedom is not free

Many days I am away
From those I love most
Yet I thank God
And carry on
For freedom is not free.

HEROS DEED
lyrics by Aaron Letrick, a professional singer/songwriter from NYC,
and the son of a USMC Vietnam Veteran.
He wrote this song for our brave soldiers and wishes to get it out and to them.
His ultimate goal is to donate the proceeds to the families of fallen soldiers. http://www.myspace.com/aaronletrick

Mental distance, from a place that he calls home
He fights to free them, and loves them as his own
He hears the dark words, stories twisted, and the lies
He sees the truth get buried as the power hunt still thrives

(CHORUS)
A Heroes Deed…Selfless acts of valor
He’ll give his life to save a world that treats him like a failure
A Heroes need, Is not lost in battle
He knows he strives for truth and nothing else will matter

He has a vision, an unending sense of pride
His motivation, born of something deep inside
He sees the news from home; they’re carrying their signs
He wonders if they know they have that right
Because of what the signs decry

(CHORUS)
I never could afford to feel contempt for those with passion
Or climb on board the latest fashion
I never will be found outside burning flags or chanting
But when I know who’s wrong and right Ill stand beside
The hero that keeps us free
And only time will tell, what consequence awaits

Maybe we should recognize, the role the Hero plays
Rather than to criticize, lets find a better way

I never could attempt to feel a foreign type of passion
I’ll fight the latest Fascist
I never could be found outside burning flags or maybe chanting
But when I know who’s wrong or right Ill stand beside
The hero that keeps us free, Oh Lord I’m free!
The Heroes Deed will light the way
Don’t bring him down The Heroes Deed, The Heroes Deed

I am a military mother of an Army Reservist as well as being a Christian author. I would be honored if you considered using this poem in any way you see fit in support of our wounded...thank you, Lucy A Cain

Wounded Warriors

Lord, I cannot comprehend

The pain our soldiers endure

Or the sacrifice they make

To keep our freedom sure

May You dwell within them

And give them peace of mind

In their injured weakness, Lord

May it be Your strength they find

Draw them close to You

And answer their every doubt

Let them see You always near

Every time they want to shout

Only You know their thoughts

For You were always there

Never forsaking, Love abides

Always present, constant care

Silent heroes, wounded warriors

Ones that carry the pain

So I lift them up to You

To heal and make whole again

Parts of their bodies may be gone

But wholeness comes from within

You can use them, Lord

Just show them how and when

May they seek You daily, Lord

To get through life again

Embrace their hearts and minds

Wounded warriors will fight - and win

***

The enemy is now at hand

Depression, anger and pain

Use your training to face each one

And freedom from them gain

Warriors you will always be

Now fight for a different cause

The battle is the Lord's.

Think on that and pause

He's the Commander now

Your Eternal battle was won

The greatest Wounded Warrior

Was Jesus Christ, God's only Son

He lifted His eyes to God above

When pain was too hard to bear

He, too, thought he was forsaken

But God was always there

Stripes on His Holy back

Blood freely pouring down

He understands your every pain

And memories that cause a frown

He came out victorious

And can give you victory too

Rely on Him my wounded friends

Warriors, each one of you

I pray for courage and strength

To fight the battles ahead

Remember the Lord is near you

"I will never forsake thee!" He said

Lucy A Cain 7/07

Author, Secure the Fort (And Remain Under God), A Military Mother's Message to America Xlibris, 2007 http://securethefort.blogspot.com www.allgloryishis.com (See Under God page)

Lucy A. Cain

All Glory Is His Writing Ministry

www.allgloryishis.com

New release! "Secure the Fort (And Remain Under God), A Military Mother's Message to America ." Xlibris, July 2007 http://securethefort.blogspot.com