Preserving the Folded Flag

In search of solace and some peace of mind

They journeyed far, leaving their past behind

Brethren of war, now struggling to cope

Hoping to find in each other, a glimmer of hope

 

With eyes filled with memories of battles past

And hearts burdened with the weight of their task

They searched for something, seeking out their own

A brother or sister, who knew what they'd known

 

And in the end, they found what they sought

In a chance encounter, they met and talked

Discovering not just a friend, but a kindred soul

Whose mission it was to help others feel whole

 

For side by side, they stood as one

Those whose duty was never quite done

But whose passions thrived in service to others

Whose needs they knew, sisters and brothers

 

For they’ve found their calling in helping those who served

And together they stood, ready to preserve

The legacy of those who gave their all

And to help those who answered the call

 

And amidst their work, a folded flag they saw

A symbol of sacrifice and of lives cut raw

A reminder of those who gave their all

And of the families left to bear the pall

 

With heavy hearts, they paused and stood

To honor the fallen, as they knew they should

For in their work, they felt a duty

To never forget, and to honor their beauty

 

And so they pledged, to keep on giving

To keep on serving, and to keep on living

In the memory of those who could not

Their legacy forever, a cherished thought.

 

So let us honor those who fought

And those who still work, to help them not

Just remember their sacrifice, but also their grace

As they lend a helping hand, to those in the same place.

by Jeremy Idleman