I met him on the wall that day

The gold shined through the rust

I was very proud of my new uniform

I almost didnt see the figure standing there

His uniform looked over thirty years old

The camouflage pattern was bleached

The neatly sewn fabric had been torn at the leg and chest

His prestigious war medals were darkened with rust

But his face was still young and lively

He looked at me and a tear came to his eye

I must have reminded him of someone

He ripped the American Flag off his left sleeve

And with a desperate look he handed it to me

Take this and give the world hope.

Dream of everyone that you love.

Think of those who will fight and die.

Remember the few and the proud.

There are 53,000 names here with mine.

Dont you be one of the kid.

I knelt down out of respect for him

But when I arose, he was gone

Death faded the air

I touched his embossed name on the marble

And held the flag tightly in my fist

Into the fiery mountains I would go

With a heros past there by my side

I met him on the wall that day

The gold shined through the rust.

J.R.P.H.