Thoughts of an Old Soldier

THOUGHTS OF AN OLD SOLDIER

by: SFC Thomas E. Ward USAR RET 66-67

As my next heart beat grows further from my first
and closer to my last.
I look back into the years
and to those friends left in my past.

Old soldiers whose years now pass. Each day
our faces wrinkle our hands callous
our hair turns a shade of gray.

Our dearest friends grow old no more
Their hair will never gray
They age no more
Not a hour nor a day

They feel no pain since the day they fell.
Their brows will never crease
with worry or some horrid pain.
Our memories of them will never cease.
a promise made years ago as we stood in the rain.

I visited my friends and yes I stood tall
But no matter how much I tried
I broke and cried
As I knew those names upon the Wall.

I am not a veteran, and will never know what it truly feels like to lose a friend in war. But, I was extremely moved by this man's poem. To all the men and women who have served, and to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, thank you.

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