"Reflections" by Lee TeterA Memorial Day Poem: ‘Friends on the Wall’ by Roy E. Peterson The Society May 31, 2021 Beauty, Culture, Poetry 8 Comments . To my friends on the wall who fought valiantly,We thank all the dead for ensuring we’re free.Remembrance, though fleeting, is etched on this wall.Above waves Old Glory. You answered his call. With honor you fought, and your life’s blood you gave.Your name’s on the wall, wherever your grave.You knew that for freedom there’d be no regret.You left us with memories we’ll never forget. We know that your family’s still grieving for youWho went off to war for the red, white, and blue.You fought the good fight, and you died not in vain.This Memorial Day, we all share in your pain. . . LTC Roy E. Peterson is a writer, retired U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer, Foreign Area Officer, and Foreign Commercial Officer who currently resides in Texas. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 8 Responses TONIA KALOURIA May 31, 2021 Heartfelt eloquence. Thank you. Reply Roy E. Peterson May 31, 2021 Bless you, Tonia! Reply Rohini Sunderam May 31, 2021 Fabulous! So moving and so well reflected in the art. Reply Roy E. Peterson May 31, 2021 I have many friends on the wall. Evan Mantyk found a beautiful work of art to go with the poem. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant May 31, 2021 Roy, thank you for your humble and heart-touching poem of respect and gratitude for all those who fought for our freedoms. And thank you, too, for your service, Sir. Reply Roy E. Peterson May 31, 2021 Bless you, Susan! You are a special poet with wonderful skills. I saw your poems published yesterday. As usual, I am in awe of your thoughts and how you express them! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant May 31, 2021 Roy, thank you very much for your appreciative words – they’re an inspiration. Margaret Coats June 1, 2021 The Army men I served with were all returned survivors, but I know one name on the wall–the older brother of a childhood friend. That family was so much stronger than I knew at the time; together they grieved for an only son and only sibling. Thank you, Colonel Peterson, for remembering them along with your friends and all the others we remember today. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Roy E. Peterson May 31, 2021 I have many friends on the wall. Evan Mantyk found a beautiful work of art to go with the poem. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant May 31, 2021 Roy, thank you for your humble and heart-touching poem of respect and gratitude for all those who fought for our freedoms. And thank you, too, for your service, Sir. Reply
Roy E. Peterson May 31, 2021 Bless you, Susan! You are a special poet with wonderful skills. I saw your poems published yesterday. As usual, I am in awe of your thoughts and how you express them! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant May 31, 2021 Roy, thank you very much for your appreciative words – they’re an inspiration.
Margaret Coats June 1, 2021 The Army men I served with were all returned survivors, but I know one name on the wall–the older brother of a childhood friend. That family was so much stronger than I knew at the time; together they grieved for an only son and only sibling. Thank you, Colonel Peterson, for remembering them along with your friends and all the others we remember today. Reply
