The Mess

During the fantastic school and community tributes on Veteran’s Day, I heard the following poem for the first time and wasn’t fast enough with the pen to get it all down. Thanks to Marge Hennen, who shared her copy with me, I am able to reprint it here.

Remember

It was the veteran, not the reporter,

who gave us freedom of the press.

It was the veteran, not the poet,

who gave us freedom of speech.

It was the veteran, not the lawyer,

who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It was the veteran, not the campus organizer,

who has given us freedom to demonstrate.

It is the veteran, who salutes the flag,

who served under the flag,

and whose coffin is draped by the flag,

who allows the protester to burn the flag.

All gave some. . . . some gave all.

As I well know, saying a lot with few words is no easy task, but the above tribute does the job beautifully. Our veterans laid their lives on the line so that we and countless millions in many other nations could live free. We will never be able to thank them enough, but we will never stop trying.

One of those efforts debuts this weekend as the Maple Lake Community Theatre presents “Thanks for the Memories. . . A Tribute to WWII 1941-45, Korean War 1949-1954.” Last year’s production focusing on WWII was both moving and highly entertaining. This year’s new presentation will provide more of the same. . . outstanding performances and a heartfelt tribute to those who have given us so much.