From Lexington To Babylon

     While a lot of people here were not in favor of our involvement in Iraq, that in no way diminishes the courage, dedication and determination of our men and women in uniform. The same may be said of Afghanistan, Panama, Korea or Vietnam, but the fact remains that when they were called, they answered. As the Memorial Day series continues, this poem is especially noteworthy, as it tells the “battle history” of the United States of America. Freedom, as they say is not free, and sometimes, (more often than we would like) you have to fight to attain it and fight to keep it. The cost of liberty is measured in souls, and only God knows how many.

     Again, this is a reposting. Please read and ponder the sacrifices that have been made by so many that we may live in freedom.

     On a political note, please make your elected officials aware that we, as citizens, will not abide changes to the Constitution of this great nation, that began at Lexington, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775, for the sake of political or special interests. Please tell them to keep their hands off of the document and the principles that were formulated and enacted by great patriots who were dedicated more to this nation, than to their own personal agenda.

      May God Bless America,

Jake.

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FROM LEXINGTON TO BABYLON

 They, were there at Lexington,

and down the road, at Concord too.

They were there, at Yorktown,

with the battle finally through.

~~~

 They were there, at Fort McHenry,

where, the spangled banner flew.

And again at New Orleans,

as part of Jackson’s crew.

~~~

 They were there, at Vera Cruz,

with Taylor, and with pride

and Texas is a state today,

because, they would not be denied.

~~~

 They, were there at Gettysburg,

lining both the sides,

falling, in great numbers,

where some say, they still reside.

~~~

 They were there, at San Juan Hill,

dying with every stride,

volunteering, all they had,

themselves, they had supplied.

~~~

 Then came the war, to end all wars,

and again, they heard the call.

When in the trenches, with the gas,

they gave once more, their all.

~~~

 Then for a score, they rested,

for their greatest moment yet.

That Sunday in December,

impossible, to forget.

~~~

 They heard the bugle’s call, again,

in every corner of the land.

The nation, undivided,

united, they would stand.

~~~

 They were there, at Normandy,

at Anzio and the Rhine.

Heeding freedom’s beckon,

still yet, another time.

~~~

 They, were there at Iwo Jima,

Bataan, and Corregidor,

at Guadalcanal and Midway,

many lost, forever more.

~~~

 They were there, at Chosin reservoir,

and, they were there at In’Chon too.

With McArthur wanting, to go on,

but, Truman said, ‘you’re through’.

~~~

 They were there, at Khe Sanh,

they were there, in old Saigon,

with choppers, flying off the roof,

still, the brave fought on.

~~~

 And still, they’re here with us today,

as they were in Panama.

Now, in Afghanistan and Babylon,

they follow, their own star.

~~~

 Yes, they have always answered,

when freedom, made demands.

Their hearts and minds, would follow,

our gratitude, that must command.

~~~

 On their guard for America,

so, freedom would not fall,

and, though they cannot witness,

I salute them, one and all.

~~~~~~

 Jack Downing

 July 2009

Copyright© Jack Downing, aka Jake @poemsandponderings.wordpress.com. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or disseminated in any manner without the expressed written consent of the author. JRD 5/24/12