<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(84, 130, 53);">SOLDIER</span></b><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">By Ed Coet (Major, US Army – Retired)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> I saw a burial with a bugler playing taps;<br> I turned to my father, “what happened?” I asked.<br>He clutched my hand and with a quiver in his voice,<br> he began to explain and his eyes became moist.<br><br>“My son,” he said, “this is rather difficult for me;<br> for an old veteran like myself this is tough to see.<br>In that coffin lies a genuine patriotic warrior,<br> an honest-to-God hero, an American soldier.<br><br>I appreciate that soldier and the service he gave,<br> and I honor his sacrifice as he’s laid in his grave.<br>He was honorable, selfless, courageous, and bold;<br> please remember him son, as you grow old.<br><br>The value of his service, I must explain,<br> if not remembered, will be lost in vain.<br>As a nation we’re nothing without soldiers like him;<br> and failing to remember would be a terrible sin.”<br><br>I listened in awe as my father spoke,<br> it seemed as if his heart were broke.<br>I suddenly remembered when he went to war,<br> and when he returned I thought nothing more.<br><br>I never asked why he walked with a limp,<br> and I didn’t care about why he was sick.<br>I was to busy enjoying the life that I had,<br> to realize that I had it because of dad.<br><br>I finally understood what my dad was about,<br> and it hurt so bad I cried out loud.<br>He sacrificed so much so I could be free,<br> and his battle scars were suffered for me.<br><br>It was my father’s spirit that spoke to me that day;<br> thank God I finally understood what he had to say.<br>I saluted his coffin as they laid him to rest,<br> and I thought about the medals pinned on his chest<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br>That I didn’t honor him sooner, I will always regret;<br> and I pledged that day to never again forget.<br>I’m proud that my dad was a patriotic warrior;<br> I’m honored to be the son of an American soldier.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br></div><div>————————————————-</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">And, of course . . .</div><div dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.tomandrodna.com/July_15/July_15_1989.jpg">http://www.tomandrodna.com/July_15/July_15_1989.jpg</a></div><br><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://www.MoscowCares.net</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><br></div><div>“A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met.”</div><div>- Roy E. Stolworthy</div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>