Freedom is not free - The Firearms Forum

Night Stalker · 07-04-2004, 03:04 PM

Freedom Is Not Free
Cadet Major Kelly Strong, AF Jr ROTC
Homestead Senior HS of Homestead, Fla 1988
...via: "Dear Abby" columnist...

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 is not 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 is not free.

SouthernMoss · 07-04-2004, 03:30 PM

This is an awesome poem, and really brings it home what freedom is all about.

Remington597 · 07-04-2004, 03:47 PM

It sends chills down my spine.

Marlin · 07-04-2004, 04:22 PM

Sends chills up and down my spine every time I see it.

Well worth reading again, and again, and then again....

07-04-2004, 03:04 PM	#1
Night Stalker V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Fort Campbell, Kentucky Posts: 112	Freedom is not free Freedom Is Not Free Cadet Major Kelly Strong, AF Jr ROTC Homestead Senior HS of Homestead, Fla 1988 ...via: "Dear Abby" columnist... 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 is not 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 is not free. __________________ "The Lord knows the way I take, and when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold" JOB 23:10 -->

07-04-2004, 03:30 PM	#2
SouthernMoss Admin Tech Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SW MS Contributor Posts: 10,651	Re: Freedom is not free This is an awesome poem, and really brings it home what freedom is all about. __________________ My Second protects your First "I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand." - Susan B Anthony

07-04-2004, 03:47 PM	#3
Remington597 Former Guest Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,201	Re: Freedom is not free It sends chills down my spine.

07-04-2004, 04:22 PM	#4
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,853	Re: Freedom is not free Sends chills up and down my spine every time I see it. Well worth reading again, and again, and then again.... __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*