Thanks To Those Who Served

      This poem was the first and the last poem that I ever submitted to a poetry contest. I sort of got the feeling it was a scam when they kept telling me how wonderful my style was and how it reminded them of this great poet or that great poet, and that they were publishing a book in the very near future featuring the works of modern poets such as myself, that would be available to me,  for a special contributors cost of only….$’s. Along with a ‘Galley Proof‘ of my poem for an additional….$’s. And how many copies of the book would I like to order? Oh, did I mention the “no purchase necessary” clause in their advertisement? It should have read; your chances of winning increase exponentially with the amount of books and galley prints that you order.

     But, the light finally dawned on Marblehead, when I received an “Honorable Mention” for the following poem. How could this poem about the men and women who have served and who are serving in their country’s armed forces, not have won the grand prize? But you know, all in all, I am a winner, as are all of us who experience, the gift of freedom that they have provided.

     If you see a member of the armed services, or a veteran with a special vehicle plate on their car, just say “thanks for your service” it means a lot to them to know that we are grateful for their sacrifices no matter when or where that they served..

     I thank all of those who have served and all of those who support them.

Jake.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO SERVED       

     When each day, that we awake,

and it’s freedom, that we find.

let us all, give thanks to those,

who gave to it, their time.

Some, gave to it their blood,

some, even gave to it, their minds,

thank the airmen, the sailors,

the guardsmen, and grunts, of all kinds.

*

 They came from all religions,

and every continent,

mothers and fathers proudly,

their children, they sent.

To defend, all our freedoms,

that have been, so well-defined,

thank the airmen, the sailors,

the guardsmen, and grunts, of all kinds.

*

 From, every race and color,

and gender, you will find,

they were there, when needed,

some, leaving all, they had behind.

So, when each day, that we awake,

and it’s freedom, that we find,

thank the airmen, the sailors,

the guardsmen, and grunts, of all kinds.

***

 Jack Downing

  June 2009

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