Do you Have Your Poppy?

Ever since watching the Ken Burns documentary of Vietnam many memories have come flooding back. Just this year I met a veteran, a Marine, who spent 3 tours in Vietnam. He lived homeless under a dumpster when he was found by another veteran who took him in and got him help at the VA. You see this man was suffering from a traumatic brain injury. He no longer had any memory of life before he arrived in Vietnam. Today this veteran is living as normal a life as he can. He has a family and dedicates his life to helping veterans because someone cared enough to reach out and help him. Memories are slowly returning. 

May I suggest something? Instead of saying "Thank you for your service" ask "What was your service like?"  And please, keep them in prayer. There are still many veterans who quietly suffer. Thanks to these men and women we are free and owe a debt that cannot be paid.

Why Wear A Poppy?

“Please wear a Poppy,” the lady said,
And held one forth, but I shook my head,
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old and lined with care;
But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade. 

A boy came whistling down the street,
Bouncing along on carefree feet,
His smile was full of joy and fun:
“Lady,” said he, “May I have one?”
When she pinned it on he turned to say,
“Why do we wear a poppy today?”
 
The lady smiled in her wistful way,
And answered, “This is Remembrance Day,
And the poppy there is a symbol for
The gallant ones who died in war,
And because they did, you and I are free,
That’s why we wear the poppy, you see.
 
I had a boy about your size,
With golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved to play and jump and shout,
Free as a bird he would race about.
As the years went by he learned and grew,
And became a man – as you will, too.
 
But the war went on and he had to stay,
And all I could do was wait and pray.
His letters told of the dreadful plight,
(I can see it still in my dreams at night)
With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,
and the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.
 
Till at last, at last, the war was won –
And that’s why we wear a poppy, son.”
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said, “Thanks lady, I’m glad to know,
That sure did sound like an awful fight,
But your son – did he come back all right?”
 
A tear rolled down each faded cheek:
She shook her head but didn’t speak.
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
And if you were me you’d have done the same:
For our thanks, in giving, is oft delayed
Though our freedom was bought
And thousands paid.
 
And so when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne,
By those who gave their very all,
When asked to answer their country’s call.
That we at home in peace might live.
 
Then wear a poppy,
Remember
And give.

“Why Wear A Poppy?” by Don Crawford (alt.)