Jim served in the US Army Signal Corps for 22 years. One morning prior to Veterans' Day, he woke about 3am and this poem was the result.
Stand Tall the Flag
Dedicated to all who have served our Country
Stand tall the flag upon their grave,
remember our kin and what they gave.
The stones all stand straight in a row,
perhaps a loved one here you know.
a Mother's child, a Father's son.
A wife's husband, all one by one.
Soldier, Sailor, Air Corps or Marine,
No more sunsets can be seen.
They gave their life and their all,
to save our country, they heard the call.
They fought and died in different wars,
for different reasons and for different scores.
Only the Maker now knows all their names,
the reason they lived and where they came.
The bugle calls, the wars they fought,
it is our duty to never forget.
The debt they paid, and what they give,
was our way of life for us to live.
Stand tall the flag upon their grave,
remember our kin and what they gave.
© November 8, 1997,
Sergeant First Class (Retired) Wm J. Wellman