On Memorial Day
![20140519_071538[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20140519_0715381-e1401119152863.jpg)
It Is the Soldier
It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Charles Michael Province, U.S. Army
Copyright Charles M. Province, 1970, 2005
All rights reserved.
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8 Comments
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That’s really beautiful, Lisa. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Dyanne. I’ve heard it several times. I liked it.
It is the first time that I read these beautifull words. Thank you for sharing them.
I’ve heard it a few times and I really like it.
Gorgeous and poignant.
I loved it.
Gorgeous. And so true. My husband is retired Army and now works for DOD. It’s amazing how much people forget to think about this.
Tell your husband how much his service and sacrifice is appreciated. I agree that too many people forget and so I always make sure when I have the opportunity to tell one of our service men or women how much they are appreciated, I do it.