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This Poem was Submitted By: Sherri L Smith On Date: 2004-05-31 09:58:13 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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A Tribute

A Tribute In recognition of our heroes who have fought and died for us on foreign soil. To those of World War 1, which has only been a history lesson for me, you fought to make the world a safer place. Soldiers of World War 2, I salute. You fought in another country, for a free world. Korean Veterans, thank you. for fighting in a war that is largely forgotten, unless a loved one fell there. Men and Women, who served in Viet Nam, I respect and honor your contribution. You stayed the course, even knowing you would be spit on, and called ‘baby killer’ when you returned home. Thank you for doing the job you were asked to do. To those who are serving, and dying in the middle East, I send you my prayers. You are volunteers who have largely left homes, families and jobs to be in the midst of a “Storm.” You are doing the right thing, despite what the media say. Serve with honor and dignity, as did the ones that went before you. Thank you to all veterans and our current military men and women who are serving with pride, all over the world.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Mell W. Morris On Date: 2004-06-06 17:08:51
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.94118
Sherri: I copied this so I will always have it. Thanks for bringing my attention to it. I'm almost positive this critique won't go thru as TPL has been "acting up" several days. This poem wasn't on my list but after waiting about ten minutes, I got it on All Users. The sentiment expressed here squeezes my heart and hurts my soul. Oh, if everyone felt as you do. "A Tribute" is the perfect title. I like in Stanza 2, that you point out that WWI is e history lesson for us as no one our age could possibly remember. Stanza 3, a little tweak, WWII, never WW2, and they didn't fight "in another country", they fought in other countries. They saw action in Germany, France, Italy, England, Japan...the whole South Pacific. Stanza 4 is so true and makes me cry. The marines at the Chosin Resevoir, the days in torturous rain and mud with no shoes left. Many lost feet and legs but felt lucky they didn't lose their lives. You know how Stanza 5 will hit me (where I live) and I will share your poem with Col G., if you don't object. You do a superb job in the following stanza (6) and your linguistry is excellent. "You are volunteers...in the midst of a "Storm."" Sherri, your closing stanza is evocative wherein you thank all vets. "Serving with pride", those currently in harm's way, you likewise thank. You tell the soldiers that you send your prayers and to "serve with honor and dignity" as those who came before. I hope this was one of your many pieces published as it is a very important piece of writing. Of course, your theme hits home with me and will to many others if they get the opportunity to read it. Thank you so much for postinbg and telling me about it. Brava! Best wishes and kudos! Mell

This Poem was Critiqued By: Erzahl Leo M. Espino On Date: 2004-06-04 01:05:10
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Sherri, This is a wonderful tribute! I liked how you grouped and described the brave heroes and soldiers of each and every war events. From World War 1 to World War 2, Korean War, Vietnam War to the current Middle East War. Your rich history reflects within this piece. Specially, I am moved by your words “You are volunteers who have largely left homes, families and jobs to be in the midst of a “Storm.” I know how personal is this for you, for you have children of your own that is currently in the Middle East to serve the country. You words, “You are doing the right thing, despite what the media say. Serve with honor and dignity, as did the ones that went before you.” is a perfect encouragement. Of course this is true for the words came from a loving mother. Thank you for this dedication Sherri. You ending piece “Thank you to all veterans and our current and women who are serving with pride, all over the world”, just summarize it perfect. Bringing back the gratitude with a “thank you” words is such a tender feeling. You have reached your message clearly to us all. As always, Erzahl :)

This Poem was Critiqued By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2004-06-03 17:14:04
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.60000
Hi Sherri, What a wonderful tribute to our fighting men and women...very well done. Your words are inspirational and tributing each major war that America fought in is supburb. My heart goes out to these people. My husband fought in the Korean war and I wish he could have read this when he was still alive. He was patriotic beyond measure. When he left for Korea he told me he would not come home to me if he was not whole. So when he was shot in the knee and faced amputation of his leg my world fell apart. Thank God the army surgeons were skilled and when he had his 5th operation and was told they would amputate the Dr. decided to scrap the infection just one more time...and it worked. So now my heart aches not only for the soldiers but also their loved ones...as that is not an easy role to play. Thank you for writing this wonderful tribute to those that deserve it the most. Blessings...Marilyn

This Poem was Critiqued By: Jennifer j Hill On Date: 2004-06-01 11:53:36
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.88889
Hi Sherri, I echo your sentiments. All these people are due our sincere gratitude and our prayers. This is a tribute that gives me hope. Hope that there are others out there who share with us the idea that we need to stand behind our soldiers who are fighting for the cause of freedom and against terrorism in the world. We need to give them our support and pray for their safe return. You honor those soldiers,and all the people who fought for the cause of freedom and peace in WWI, WW2, Korea and Vietnam with your tribute poem. Thanks for remembering and reminding all of us of the debt of gratitude that is owed. In my church every sunday morning all the men go to the front of the church and kneel while we all pray with the pastor for our soldiers who are serving, our president and the people of the middle east. We have been doing this since the sunday after 9-11 and will continue until they safely return home. You stand on solid ground when you say these things and I salute you for having the guts to say what you believe. Kudos and blessings to you, Jennifer

This Poem was Critiqued By: Elaine Marie Phalen On Date: 2004-05-31 22:19:17
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.83333
Hi Sherri, This is the ultimate Memorial Day poem. You tell it "like it is", with unmistakable pride. The Vietnam passage is the most poignant because these veterans have been treated with the least honor of any. That whole era is extremely painful to recall, now. There were so many losses, so many agonizing personal defeats. In the next-to-last strophe, you nicely defend those in the Middle East against biased journalism and media-generated controversy. The use of "Storm" also calls to mind Operation Desert Storm; the situation in this area seems to have been at the boiling point for a long time. Those who are serving in Iraq have assumed a burden of terrible responsibility, and no matter how they conduct themselves, there will always be those who criticize and condemn. You speak with honesty and conviction. What a fine tribute to the military of all generations! Take Care, Brenda

This Poem was Critiqued By: Wayne R. Leach On Date: 2004-05-31 20:09:32
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.39024
Thanks for posting this most appropriate piece. It is well done, and I might add - well deserved by all who served. I thank them, too. I truly appreciate the country in which I was born, and live. I only wish that all who are blessed with this opportunity would do the same. I pray for peace. wrl

This Poem was Critiqued By: Thomas Edward Wright On Date: 2004-05-31 17:48:06
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.43103
Well said. Amen. And Thanks to you and to them. Patriots, all. tom

This Poem was Critiqued By: Turner Lee Williams On Date: 2004-05-31 12:33:18
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.84000
Sherri--As one who served for almost 23 years in the military and a Viet Nam veteran (68/69),I appreciate and applaud your "Memorial Day" tribute to all our men and women (past and present)who made and still make sacrificies protecting not only the liberties of the USA but the freedoms of the entire free world. My eyes teared while reading and recalling those incidents of stanza #5; "You stayed the course, even knowing you would be spit on, and called 'baby killer' when you returned home." Thank you for also adding my favorite (sage) lines in stanza #6; "Serve with honor and dignity, as did the ones that (who) went before you." Your ending stanza is the most pertinent thing we should be relaying to our military at this time. Thanks for posting this piece, which I'm sure will draw mixed emotions/reactions. TLW

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