The helmet, gun and boots of a fallen soldier from the U.S/ Vietnam War, 1955-1975. Behind is the traveling Vietnam war memorial wall with the names of 56,000 + fallen U.S. soldiers who fought and died in this war. The original larger wall is located in Washington D.C. The traveling wall here is smaller and shown around the U.S. on Veterans day and Memorial day holidays. We have seen both the original wall in Washington D.C., and traveling wall seen here in northern Colorado. Photo credit: Joyce Johnson.
I see news clips and stories
of protests and crowds
marching in streets, their hearts
full of hatred, anger and strife.
And I think, What kind of country
have we become, that they cannot be thankful
for having such freedom and having such a life?
Are we not a great country who fought to secure
our rights and our freedoms
so they could endure?
What we all hold dear and strive to protect
so they could burn or trample on our flags?
Our symbol of strength, what men fought for, and died.
God, help this nation to honor and reflect
what is good, and what is right,
to put aside their differences
and rise above hate
that can only destroy, not ever unite.
___________________
Joyce E. Johnson (2016)
To all those veterans out there, today, I want to say
thank you so much for your service, what you gave up to serve,
so we can enjoy our freedoms and rights.
God, bless our America and our veterans, today.
Happy Veterans Day!
