Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Afghanistan War. You won't hear a celebratory 'clink' of glasses though, the government would like this day to pass as quietly as possible. It is now the longest war in United States history. Time to end this charade is now - bring our military home.
To all those who have lost their lives and to all of those that have served and are serving and to all the family members - you have not been forgotten. Nearly 4,500 U.S. troops have died in Iraq and about 1,700 in Afghanistan. Tens of thousands more have been wounded.
The news is spread far and wide
Another comrade has sadly died
A sunset vigil upon the sand
As a soldier leaves this foreign land
We stand alone, and yet as one
In the fading light of a setting sun
We’ve all gathered to say goodbye
To our fallen comrade who’s set to fly
The eulogy’s read about their life
Sometimes with words from pals or wife
We all know when the CO’s done
What kind of soldier they’d become
The padre then calls us all to pray
The bugler has Last Post to play
The cannon roars and belches flame
We will recall, with pride, their name
A minute’s silence stood in place
As tears roll down the hardest face
deafening silence fills the air
With each of us in personal prayer
Reveille sounds and the parade is done
The hero remembered, forgotten by none
They leave to start the journey back
In a coffin draped in the Union Jack
Sgt Andy McFarlane, 2009.
It's shocking that it's been ten years. I had no idea until this anniversary arrived. It's a sin that we're still waging (at least) two wars while not one American can say why we're we're there. Gore Vidal was right: the United States is waging endless war for endless peace. It's insanity.
ReplyDelete