By Douglas J. Lanzo
Copyright 2020
First published in WestWard Quarterly, Winter 2020 Edition
Persevering,
our Colonial Army
endured disease, cold and hunger
one frigid winter at Valley Forge
warmed by bonds of patriotism;
Unvanquished,
our flag continued to wave following
25 hours of relentless British bombardment
at the Battle of Baltimore,
inspiring the Star Spangled Banner;
Righteous,
our Union forces
freed our country from
the scourge of slavery,
embodying its true founding principles;
Resolute,
our soldiers and airmen repelled
a withering surprise attack by Panzer divisions
in America’s bloodiest battle of World War II
to prevail at the Battle of the Bulge;
Defending freedom,
our Air Force led
the Berlin Airlift, together with Britain
flying over 200,000 sorties over West Berlin
until Stalin lifted the Berlin Blockade;
Exacting justice,
our Navy’s SEAL Team Six
raided Osama Bin Laden’s compound
in Abbottabad, Pakistan
slaying the September 11th mastermind;
Proud,
what every American should feel
about the ideals and principles
embodied in the storied military history
of a nation, though imperfect given human nature,
thirsts and sheds its precious blood for
liberty, equality and justice.