To The Vietnam Vet by Dennis Allen Lange

—

We that supported you were mute,
…Applauding with one hand,
While children who were so opposed
…Went to the streets to stand. 

You heard the louder chorus then,
…The raucous caw of crows,
And never did we recognize
…How much the country owes 

You veterans who served in Nam,
…(The living and the dead)
In thankless war our thankless land
…Was much too quick to shed. 

With one hand tied behind your back
…By cowards far away,
You heroes, there, enduring much,
…Had one more price to pay, 

And that from fellow countrymen
…Who scoffed as you returned
And spit upon the very ones
…Whose blood bought flags they burned. 

But you must know their numbers were,
…Like traitors, very few,
While we who held you in esteem
…Covered the land like dew.

And though it’s late, here’s my salute –
…From many others, too.
You gave so much and here’s a bit
…Of so much that is due.

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photo by Robert Linder at http://www.rgbstock.com/photo/oJW4RWA/Flags

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© Dennis Allen Lange and thebardonthehill.wordpress.com, 2018.

 

 

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Benjamin Harrison by James Whitcomb Riley

—

(on the unveiling of his monument at Indianapolis –
October 27, 1908)

As tangible a form in History
The Spirit of this man stands forth as here
He towers in deathless sculpture, high and clear
Against the bright sky of his destiny.
Sprung of our oldest, noblest ancestry,
His pride of birth, a lofty as sincere,
Held kith and kin, as Country, ever dear –
Such was his sacred faith in you and me.
Thus, natively, from youth his work was one
Unselfish service in behalf of all –
Home, friends and sharers of his toil and stress;
Ay, loving all men and despising none,
And swift to answer every righteous call,
His life was one long deed of worthiness. 

The voice of Duty’s faintest whisper found
Him as alert as at her battle-cry –
When awful War’s battalions thundered by,
High o’er the havoc still he heard the sound
Of mothers’ prayers and pleadings all around;
And ever the despairing sob and sigh
Of stricken wives and orphan children’s cry
Made all our Land thrice consecrated ground.
So rang his “forward!” and so swept his sword –
On! – on! – till from the fire-and-cloud once more
Our proud Flag lifted in the glad sunlight
As though the very Ensign of the Lord
Unfurled in token that the strife was o’er,
And victory – as ever – with the right.

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Benjamin Harris was the 23rd president of the United States.

 

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Duty by Edwin Markham

When Duty comes a-knocking at your gate,
Welcome him in; for if you bid him wait,
He will depart only to come once more
And bring seven other duties to your door.

 

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Duty by Ellen S. Hooper

I slept and dreamed that life was Beauty:
I woke and found that life was Duty:
Was then thy dream a shadowy lie?
Toil on, sad heart, courageously,
And thou shalt find thy dream to be
A noonday light and truth to thee.

 

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