They Stand in Line
(To Our Veterans)

They stepped forward to stand in line,
Young men and women in their prime,
Soldiers who suffered and died for us all
So our nation could stand tall.

If we thrive in times past then,
We owe a debt to honor them,
And praise the peace that was their gift.
To them and God our eyes uplift.

For they stand in line at heaven’s gate,
Their heads held high, and backs held straight,
The ones God called before their time,
In dress uniform, they stand in line.

Each one a fine example of health
Like the photographs on a loved ones shelf,
And we their legacy carry on
As stewards of the seeds they’ve sown.

We come in sunshine and in rain,
To show they didn’t die in vain,
To honor, as a part of ourselves,
Those names and pictures on our shelves.

We lift them up who’ve fallen down
And dedicate this holly ground,
Knowing some day we who remain
Will rejoin our heroes once again.

From “Occasional Poems”
  http://authorhouse.com
  byy Tom Zurinskas11/11/2004