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Home Poetry Beauty

A Memorial Day Poem: ‘Friends on the Wall’ by Roy E. Peterson

May 31, 2021
in Beauty, Culture, Poetry
A A
8

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To my friends on the wall who fought valiantly,
We thank all the dead for ensuring we’re free.
Remembrance, though fleeting, is etched on this wall.
Above waves Old Glory. You answered his call.
 
With honor you fought, and your life’s blood you gave.
Your name’s on the wall, wherever your grave.
You knew that for freedom there’d be no regret.
You left us with memories we’ll never forget.
 
We know that your family’s still grieving for you
Who went off to war for the red, white, and blue.
You fought the good fight, and you died not in vain.
This Memorial Day, we all share in your pain.

.

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LTC Roy E. Peterson is a writer, retired U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer, Foreign Area Officer, and Foreign Commercial Officer who currently resides in Texas.

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Comments 8

  1. TONIA KALOURIA says:
    4 years ago

    Heartfelt eloquence. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Roy E. Peterson says:
    4 years ago

    Bless you, Tonia!

    Reply
  3. Rohini Sunderam says:
    4 years ago

    Fabulous! So moving and so well reflected in the art.

    Reply
    • Roy E. Peterson says:
      4 years ago

      I have many friends on the wall. Evan Mantyk found a beautiful work of art to go with the poem.

      Reply
  4. Susan Jarvis Bryant says:
    4 years ago

    Roy, thank you for your humble and heart-touching poem of respect and gratitude for all those who fought for our freedoms. And thank you, too, for your service, Sir.

    Reply
    • Roy E. Peterson says:
      4 years ago

      Bless you, Susan! You are a special poet with wonderful skills. I saw your poems published yesterday. As usual, I am in awe of your thoughts and how you express them!

      Reply
      • Susan Jarvis Bryant says:
        4 years ago

        Roy, thank you very much for your appreciative words – they’re an inspiration.

        Reply
  5. Margaret Coats says:
    4 years ago

    The Army men I served with were all returned survivors, but I know one name on the wall–the older brother of a childhood friend. That family was so much stronger than I knew at the time; together they grieved for an only son and only sibling. Thank you, Colonel Peterson, for remembering them along with your friends and all the others we remember today.

    Reply

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