Standing there, the breeze blowing the flags

silent understanding of the cost;

remembering those who suffered, gave their all

for peace, remembering those we lost.

The bugle plays the haunting sound

as planes fly overhead,

filling all who stand here with a solemn

sense of dread.

Buildings not repaired at all,

with holes still in the walls

the imagination shudders

at the sound of deathly calls.

The monument to heroes

that will never rise again

and I am left here wondering

what might have become of them.

If they hadn’t died here

trapped in rusted steel

would we have been different

or was this just God’s will.

America’s still standing

the war is now long done

and in the west a peace accord

with those under the sun.

They gave their lives for freedom

and though it’s too high a price

I say a silent prayer of thanks

that they would offer up their lives;

for those of us they left here

owe them more than can be paid

that they would give their all

so that I could stand here on this day.