Veteran's day poem (November 2004)

Under your burden
you still stand proud
the weight of duty
has not made you bow
every challenge
you turn and face
you do not shirk
or hesitate
though all you love
is oh so far
in spite of this
there you are
far from comfort
far from home
in heat, or rain,or lonely cold
marching down
through history
doing thankless
yet noble deeds
so that people here
and there can see
the better future
you helped to seed
to men and women far away
and those who came home
and those we'll never see again
and those who's fates we'll never know
no words can offer thanks enough
to those who served unfaltering
we have this meager offering
a day aside where we reflect
on how much we owe you our
RESPECT