THE WALL 2005
It is freedom of speech
You may proclaim
That causes you to reach
For your moment of fame
In the last great protest
They were reviled
Political pawns in the contest
Vile names on them piled
Your banner proclaims all
Of that have no fear
Keep them on the mall
They don’t belong here
Protest the leaders
They never bled
Respect the fallen
Honor the dead
They defended your right
For all that you claim
Using them in your fight
Only brings shame
©Copyright September 27, 2005 by Fred B. Baker, II
Author's Note: This weekend I went to a reunion of Viet Nam vets. Unfortunately, there were some protests against the war too. The protestors decided to bring their signs to the Viet Nam Memorial. As vets, we decided that the Wall was not going to be part of the protest and kept all signs out. We very cordially asked them to leave them outside the wall area. A few tried to create a scene for the cameras, but we held fast and firm without creating a scene. I came home and wrote this poem hoping to express our sentiment.
Fred Baker
September 27, 2005