Veteran's Day

On this day we honor and remember the service of the men and women who have served in the military in times of war and peace.  This day is also a time to remember the people who have died for our country. 

The Veteran

Underneath the autumn sky,
Haltingly, the lines go by.

    Ah, would steps were blithe and gay,

    As when first they marched away,

    Smile on lip and curl on brow,--

    Only white-faced gray-beards now,

    Standing on life's outer verge,

    E'en the marches sound a dirge.

    Blow, you bugles, play, you fife,

    Rattle, drums, for dearest life.

    Let the flags wave freely so,

    As the marching legions go,

    Shout, hurrah and laugh and jest,

    This is memory at its best.

    (Did you notice at your quip,

    That old comrade's quivering lip?)

    Ah, I see them as they come,

    Stumbling with the rumbling drum;

    But a sight more sad to me

    E'en than these ranks could be

    Was that one with cane upraised

    Who stood by and gazed and gazed,

    Trembling, solemn, lips compressed,

    Longing to be with the rest.

    Did he dream of old alarms,

    As he stood, "presented arms"?

    Did he think of field and camp

    And the unremitting tramp

    Mile on mile--the lonely guard

    When he kept his midnight ward?

    Did he dream of wounds and scars

    In that bitter war of wars?

    What of that? He stood and stands

    In my memory--trembling hands,

    Whitened beard and cane and all

    As if waiting for the call

    Once again: "To arms, my sons,"

    And his ears hear far-off guns,

    Roll of cannon and the tread

    Of the legions of the Dead!

Paul Laurence Dunbar