Lou J. Klaiber

THE MEDAL THAT NEVER FADES AWAY
(Veterans’ Day, November 11, 2003)

It was the longest war,

and so many moved into the fear,
the death
… ahead of me,
and beside me

… behind me.

They were men who never ran away.

They wore the dirt
and mud
and tears of their Brothers

… and they always did their best.

Medals were never any care to them
at all.

Just tired,
dirty heroes,
of a war so very… very far
away.

… so damn long ago.

All of us were there,
side by side.

Thank you Brothers
of Vietnam.

You were the Medal,
… worn proudly
in the war called Vietnam.

You are the Medal worn by the soul.

The Medal that none can buy.

Men of truth
and courage…!

forever, my Brothers!

I salute you
all!

… one more
time.

This Veterans Day!