Taking after her Grandfather: A poem in Salute of those in military service.

In honor of Veterans Day, I am posting a poem my daughter wrote back in 2003 concerning our active duty military that had just deployed to Iraq.

She was 15 at the time and very insightful.

And I'm proud to say not only is she my daughter, she takes after her grandfather, my dad, a vet and another poet. I wrote this post in regard to his salute to Veterans. You can read it here:

Final Roll Call, a salute to our Veterans who've once again led the way.

For The Soldiers

By: Erin Michaud

Dedicated to all the brave men and women serving the USA. Thank-you!

Fly the flag so proud,

In remembrance of me.

Your brothers, your sisters,

The wounded you see.

They gave up their lives,

Futures, and dreams,

A perfect stranger to you,

Yet not so, I deem.

How much they gave up,

That you might be free.

The greatest sacrifice possible,

Given so lovingly.

And all they ever wanted

Was to serve, give, protect,

Yet there are those among us

Who show them no respect.

Then there are those

Who are safe and at home.

Complaining and griping,

And only bemoan

The fact that there are people,

Proud and strong

Willing to face evil,

Fight, and overcome wrong.

So for those who are giving

The ultimate sacrifice,

A little more caring

Just might suffice.

Why, then, do you complain,

If you’re not the ones dying?

They chose to protect you,

So stop your crying!

Yes, you have the

Freedom of speech.

But can’t you use it

For good, and to teach,

The youth of our nation

To strive, to serve,

To follow their footsteps

And to preserve,

The legacy that the soldiers,

Have thus so far nobly achieved.

They will not be forgotten!

Nor will their deeds.

So fly the flag proud,

In honor of those,

Fighting, protecting, and serving,

They are my heroes!

(copyright 2003, all rights reserved, Erin Michaud, used by permission)

When she wrote this, she was serving in the Texoma Composite Civil Air Patrol Squadron at the old Perrin AFB (now the Grayson County airport) in Sherman, Texas. She went on to become the Squadron Cadet Commander. Her unit was called out to search for wreckage of the Columbia space shuttle. She follows in a long family tradition of military service to our nation and before.

Stay tuned, there's more. Her younger sister has also taken after her grandfather.