Memorial Day is just about here and I thought I would share a poem written by my brother, Don Dieleman, a Navy veteran. On this special day of remembrance, if you can't attend a service or parade, at least give thanks to those who have gone before us as well as the young men and women serving now to protect our freedom. In this day of isolation and the battle with COVID-19, the poem also seems relevant and applicable to those fighting this virus on the front lines.
FREEDOM ISN'T FREE (copyright, Don Dieleman, 2004)
Freedom isn't free
Look around and you will see
Some are crippled some are lame
With their stories to proclaim.
Some have scars you do not see
Cutting deep in memory
They gave their all for you and me
So that freedom we can see.
It's hard for young to comprehend
When family goes to war
But one day they will understand
What they went fighting for.
We enjoy so much of everything
In a land of liberty we sing
Help us Lord to always see
That lives were lost for you and me.
We seem very out of touch
With many places that have not much
Especially freedom that they seek
May we always freedom keep.
So pray that where our troops may go
To distant lands away from home
That they will always lead the way
To help spread freedom everyday. (Copyright, Don Dieleman, 2004)
When you see a man or woman in uniform or just wearing a military hat, thank them for their service and say a little prayer that the negative memories embedded during their service will diminish, give them peace and a sense of pride.
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I never served in the military but I had the privilege of writing two memoirs of Army Reserve nurses who served in the Persian Gulf War; then 2nd Lt. Dianah Kwiatkowski, When Duty Called: Even Grandma Had To Go, and Sgt. Sara Raye (pen name), Hidden Casualties: Battles On The Home Front, as well as the WWII story of home front America and what a group of children from one school accomplished, We Bought A WWII Bomber: The Untold Story of A Michigan High School, a B-17 Bomber & The Blue Ridge Parkway.
Please SHARE and leave a comment before May 30th and I'll put your name in to WIN the book of your choice from above.
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Sandra Warren has published works in multiple genres. For SKYPE/ZOOM visits and/or CONTACT information see her website: www.arliebooks.com or www.sandrawarren.com
FREEDOM ISN'T FREE!
Friday, May 22, 2020
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4 comments:
Dear Sandra,
What a beautiful poem your brother wrote! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Never Give Up
Joan
Thank you Joan! I thought it was beautiful also.
Sandra
Sandra, your brother's poem touches my heart. I'm so very grateful to all who serve,who have served and lost their life protecting us. As well as their families.Thank you for sharing it with us.❤
That was so well written and spoke volumes between the lines of his own experience in the Navy. I thank and salute him for his service and sharing his writing talent with us to teach an important lesson. If we don't learn from our past, we are doomed to repeat it.
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