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"Heroes
Carved in Stone"
I stood
staring in awe as my gaze settled upon a black granite wall of memories.
As I
stood there not a muscle in my body twitched, except for the rhythmic
beating of my weary heart.
Before
me, a great wall, with the names of Fathers, Sons, Brothers, Daughters;
Soldiers; Heroes...carved in stone. As I looked at the granite I saw behind
it. A scene of tangled jungles, mud covered boots, people crying, as their
lives came to an unwritten end. On the ground I saw the bodies of fallen
soldiers, bloody and cold from death. In my heart I felt their pain and
fear, which lingered in their unforgotten souls.
In my
mind I could see them standing around me, in what was left of their
tiger-striped tattered camouflage. Blood covered, dirty calluses had formed
on their hands, and memories of home were lost in the emptiness of their
stares.
I saw
beside me the American Flag, still and unmoving in the bustling air. I
shivered at the eerie sight. Suddenly, I felt that I wasn't alone, as though
I were in the presence of a soldier; I paused, not believing in my feelings.
A chill went down my spine as I felt a touch on my shoulder. I turned to see
a woman; a mother, with tears in her eyes, reading the name of her son. At
that moment I realized that the soldiers have not been forgotten. They live
on in our hearts; then, now, and forever.
As I
turned to leave, I hesitated; looked back at the wall and said aloud, "Thank
You", and I swear I heard a voice carried on the wind whisper..."Never
Forget". |
2005
- 2009 MWSA