Our nation gives out medals
For our wounded and our dead
Made of metal, cloth, and plastic
For the blood that they have shed
So many Hero medals
Rarely given the common men
Who fought the many ugly wars
Just a note on history’s pen
Seniors often quick to tell you
Of the medals on their chest
Are worn for deeds of other men
Unknown to all the rest
It seems so strange, so many fell
And the wounded that returned
No awards were ever offered
For the dead, the maimed, the burned
Did so many do so little
That their deeds remain unknown
Is their just reward a Purple Heart
A grave, a white headstone
Didn’t anybody see them?
When they joined our nations call
Didn’t anybody hear them?
When they gave their soul, their all
Were we all so very busy
To recall the scared who tried
To let us live another day
Many wounded, many died
Combat medals often junior
To the ones that seniors wear
Are seniors blind to those who fought
Or don’t they really care?
Major Frank C. Stolz, USMC Ret. © 2003
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard