3 shots were fired, silence, 3 shots were fired, silence, 3 shots were fired, silence, 3 shots were fired, 3 shots were fired, silence, 3 shots were fired, silence, 3 shots were fired, silence, 21 shots fired in all and silence. A bugle, taps is played, silence, a pipe is play and silence. The flag folded and silence. Honor served and silence.
Audi Murphy, ken Curtis, Ira Hayes, and silence. Roy Oliver Durham, Sterling Harold Roylance, and silence.
An Island of Peace
Could we sail the sea – just you and me-
Like a pair of wild sea gulls.
We’d sail and soar, far out from shore.
And light on the sea when it lulls.
We’d fly to the sunset, to an Island of Peace.
Among mangroves and palm trees to hide.
And build a nest far out in the west.
With life and love we’d abide.
Side by side we’d glide, and ride on the tide.
Cross the billows and breakers with ease:
We would hide from the storm and wait for the calm.
But soar high in the sunlight and breeze.
And grieve not to leave the world of unrest,
The rock of ages we’d find:
And there we could rest in our sheltered nest,
Far away from the strife of mankind.
Poem by Wesley Andrews
This is on a post card that my dad bought somewhere in world war two. He never mailed it to anyone.
He saved it in his photo album which was give to me after he died. He never talked about the war. I have found that men and women that served in battle have a silence, a un-clamed silence in them. I have never been in battle; I served but never in battle. We owe them more then silence. There is not many of the WW II vets left, one more found the inland of peace January, 15 2011 Sterling Harold Roylance.
He saved it in his photo album which was give to me after he died. He never talked about the war. I have found that men and women that served in battle have a silence, a un-clamed silence in them. I have never been in battle; I served but never in battle. We owe them more then silence. There is not many of the WW II vets left, one more found the inland of peace January, 15 2011 Sterling Harold Roylance.Today we remember those who served and gave their all. Can we give them tomorrow?
thank you to all that has served and god bless them
9 comments:
My family members who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces rarely speak of their active duty experiences. They all came home (those who survived their tours) and got on with the business of living their lives. I always found that to be a noble approach, although I also realize that talking about it may have helped some of them on a psychological level. Many of them still fight demons from their military days, but I see them all as true Heroes.
When a military funeral happens, one of the parts of the ceremony I find the most touching is when the flag is folded and handed off to the highest ranking officer. He holds the flag close to his heart, bows his head and says a silent prayer for that soldier and his/her family. I think that is singularly beautiful.
Great post, Roy. :)
~ Dawn
Someone once told me Roy.
" The Silence between the Notes is just as important as the Note"...
In some beliefs..." The Spirit lives forever within the Silence"..it is only disturbed within the telling.
There is ritual within the Silence...when we all bow our heads!
I like the post card...it is somewhat symbolic...no words written...quietly blank...
Always...Ravenmyth....
Roy, thank you for your service. My father is a Vietnam vet and he rarely speaks of his time there. He made a career in the Army, sacrificing higher pay, better pension and a finer life to serve his country. Always giving and never asking for much in return. Our Vietnam vets never got the respect they deserved. As we lose the Greatest Generation, let's not forget those that came after or the current men and women that are becoming veterans in the sands of the Middle East. God bless our men and women in uniform. They pay the price of our freedom with their blood.
Lest We Forget
Your Mate
A
Roy, the empty postcard speaks a thousand words of what is better left unsaid.
My dad served. We will always remember. xo
You are right about the silence. My dad would never talk about it either. I don't know much of anything about what he did. He was in the navy and my mom told me that he missed Pearl Harbor by only a day. He was shipped stateside the day before. I'm sure he was devastated.
Wars are a consequence of humanity wanting to dominate,manipulate and brutally incapacitate populations.We humans are merely pawns in a game played out by the generals who see us as little more than statistics.Lives will be lost and coffins will be racked up and sent... how fragile humanity is and how callous wars can be there must be a price but for heaven's sake why doesn't someone suggest the ballot box? once in a while instead of all this bloodshed.You never fail to amaze me,as to how sensitive,and a great soul you are..love u Roy,for sharing a part of your life with us.
First, thank you for your service Roy. I salute you and all those you mention here who served. We live in a time when many don’t appreciate those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. How sad to know that some take liberty for granted, and are under the illusion that the price of independence is free. No, there is a cost for freedom, and some have paid the ultimate price for our freedom: their very lives.
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