Wow, so much has changed in the America I once knew. But one thing is for sure that our tenderness, heart, love, care, concern must never vacate our spirits. There is a dark force trying to do that. We will survive only if we remember the precious and selfless- not selfish duty of fellow Americans that gave all.........We are at a crossroads majorly as a nation. We must never forget love for each other which we still possess but need refinement and awareness..We must always turn to our center of centers of those that gave all at Normandy. I see those boys gave everything...Pictures of them come across my heart and mind of how they never complained- just served as men.... My hero is Martin August Treptow .. I'll copy and paste his biography here- born on 19 January 1894 on a farm in the town of Eagle Point, WI. He grew to manhood in that community and, in the summer of 1917, was working as a barber in a small shop in the town of Cherokee, IA.

World War I was in progress and when the call went out for volunteers, Martin enlisted in the Army on 15 July 1917, in Cherokee. He and his regiment landed in France in the early part of December 1917.

On 29 July 1918, Private Martin August Treptow was serving on the Western Front with Company M, 168th Infantry, 84th Brigade, 42nd Division, known as the famed ‘Rainbow Division.’ The Rainbow Division had been in the thickest of the fight and the battle in which they were engaged that day, Chateau Thierry, would end up being recorded in history as one of the most important of WWI.

On the day that the Yanks went across the river and up the hill, a messenger was needed to deliver an important message to one of the company's platoons. In spite of heavy machine gun fire and artillery bombardment from the enemy, Private Martin Treptow, then 24 years of age, volunteered and grabbed the message and ran out under fire. As he was nearing the platoon leader, Treptow was killed by a hail of machinegun fire.

Later, in the pocket of his shirt, they found his diary. On the first page, under the heading ‘My Pledge’ he had subscribed his name and written something that many others in his company would eventually copy into their diaries. These were his words:

“America must win this war. Therefore, I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.” You see Ed it isn't about our differences ever!!!!! It's not political- it's our uniqueness before the world and our gratitude, love inside that will last eternally and while everything else fades this will endure. May God rest their precious souls and may your day be meaningful and beautiful.....

~ j

As I read it resonated freedom and wanting for a better way ahead. You have been part of those that are factually laying the groundwork for a better future for everyone, not just the privileged old order and wealthy.

The best poem I've seen from you. You're not getting older, you're getting better.

Ron

Lovely poem!!! The words my soul longed to hear. Thank-You!