Joseph A. Garrie

STRENGTH AND HONOUR

The sound of rolling thunder
Is first to greet your ears
And as the sound grows louder
Is seen through eyes filled with tears
A slow long line of veterans
In procession down the street
Bikes adorned with flags
Gently waving in the breeze.
They stand tall for a brother
Taken early from this life
By an enemy’s deadly missile
In a land of war-tom strife.

In Canada they park their rides
Along Repatriation Row
Outside CFB Trenton
In South Eastern Ontario.
They stand in silent honour
As the casket makes its way
On the shoulders of fellow soldiers
Across the tarmac, dull and grey.
And as the hearse begins the trip
Along the Highway of Heroes route
Down Repatriation Row
They line the street in silent tribute
To another fallen hero
Their brother who gave his all
Protecting our rights and freedoms
In answer to duty’s call.

In America, a flag line stands
In front of the funeral home
In tribute to a hero who can
No longer stand on his own.
They line the street and entrance
To the church where family and friends
Arrive to pay their last respects
And in some way to seek amends.
The flag line forms a circle
Around the grave side site
Where military honours are bestowed
On the one who fought the fight
To preserve the rights and freedoms
Of all who stayed behind
Their duty done, they now can rest
Until the end of time.

Brothers we are, comrades in arms,
Who now stand for those who fell
And in support of the families
Who hear the death bells knell.
They stand to show the country
That they share in its pain
And the family as a reminder
Their loss will not be forgotten or in vain.
So they stand in honour and respect
To those who have so bravely fallen
For the country who forgets its defenders
Will itself be soon forgotten.

Author’s Note: A Tribute To The C.A.V., PGR And All Veteran’s Motorcycle Groups