A National Moment of Remembrance

That poem about where “poppies blow”
And, “the crosses, row on row”
Still rings true, these ninety years
After written, still brings tears.

We still have Dead, “amid the guns”
And lose our young and our loved ones
Those who lived, “short days ago”
Who, “felt dawn, saw sunset glow”.

In Flanders Fields, “the poppy red”
Still grow where the blood was bled
They, “Take up our quarrel with the foe”
And still die for Freedoms that we know.

They pass, “The torch” to, “hold it high”
And not, “break the faith with us who die”
For they, “shall not sleep, though poppies grow”
Beneath all those, “crosses, row on row”
In Flanders Fields.

Del “Abe” Jones

ONE IN FOUR?

On this Veterans Day, some news
That should make us all ashamed
And there's plenty to go around
To all those who should be blamed.

Though, it's really not, new news
The bad way, we treat our Vets
In this Land, that they keep Free
That's about as low as it gets.

We should have NO homeless
In this richest Land on Earth
But especially not, those who served
Like they have outlived, their worth.

That's the way some are treated
Once, they put away their gun
They serve and fight in our Wars
Then, cast aside when War is done.

Today, we are still at War
But many Heroes who just fought
Are already living on the street
And we don't give it a second thought.

Shame on us, America
To treat our Vets this way
Shame on our so-called leaders
Whose folks, aren't those who pay.

“Heroes”, when we need them
“Homeless”, much too soon
A little help, is all they need
They're not asking for the Moon.

Giving them, what we promised
And to fulfill, our obligation
For when we don't keep our word
It leaves a blight upon our Nation.

A Hero is still a Hero
Whether in uniform or not
And between us and oppression
These Heroes are all we've got.

Service should be mandatory
For each American citizen
With no excuses, pay their debt
For living in this great Nation.

If all the rich and powerful
Had to send their young to serve
You can bet, most every Vet
Would get, all that they deserve.

So, when you see those homeless
Just know, that one in four
Served our Nation Honorably
And we owe them so much more.

Del “Abe” Jones
10.10.2007

THROWAWAY SOLDIERS

With the one hand they seem to give
And with the other, take away
“We always will support our Troops!”
But, they don’t do what they say.

They promise all those benefits
As you Raise your hand and Swear
To Do Your Duty, Serve Your Country
Anytime, and Anywhere.

You keep your end of the Bargain
And Follow Orders to a tee
Even lay your Life on the Line
So that others might be Free.

You don’t ask for a whole lot
Just to be treated with Respect
Promises kept and Honesty
From those People you Protect.

But, too often those in Power
Will Betray you without Shame
Break those Vows they made
Like it was only just a Game.

It’s called, “Throwaway Soldiers”
And the Vets will always lose
Because you Play by the Rules
While they will Play as they chose.

Del “Abe” Jones

VETERAN'S DAY, 2007

Another year we've been at War
And a record year, of Heroes killed
Will our hopes for an end to it
Never, ever be fulfilled?

The cost has been tremendous
And surely, they don't tell us all
Worse, loss of life and mind and limb
As our Troops, continue to fall.

Some, deployed several times
More, than we should rightly ask
But, they will go and do their Duty
To carry out, their given task.

Nearly four thousand gave their all
Almost thirty thousand hurt
Who tried to bring some civility
To that far-a-way, ancient, desert.

Many folks are against the War
And there's some who do protest
But one thing most all, agree on
Our Military, is the very best.

Let's not forget families and loved ones
All, who serve our Country, too
Who sacrifice and suffer for us
With Patriotism, proud and true.

Some of them will lose their Heroes
And will hurt and cry and grieve
And when handed that folded Flag
They will say, "I still believe!"

Maybe, "Mission accomplished!"
One day, will actually be true
But, till then, we must support them
And tell them, "Thanks, for all you do!"
And we must remember all those
Who served our Country in the past
To make our Nation Free
And to make sure it will last.

Del "Abe" Jones
11.06.2007

NOVEMBER 11TH

There are so many little towns
That make up this great nation
And the heroes from them
Boggle the imagination.

Those who answer the call
In peace and wartime's strife
Who give of themselves
So, we can live this life.

Some go and fight those wars
Some die, some hurt, survive
But all that they believe in
Is what keeps freedom alive.

It is all those little towns
And people who live there
Who stand and fight for freedom
For people, everywhere.

Somebodys dad or brother
Husband, daughter or son
Mother, sister, cousins
We all, know someone.

Who, when freedom was threatened
Here at home, around the world
Were determined to insure
Freedoms flag remained unfurled.

They believe and fight for
The things this world needs
They might not always win
But they will have planted seeds.

In time of peace or conflict
There is always a price to pay
And today, we pay them tribute
On this Veterans Day.VETERANS DAY 2002

Well, here we are, once again
With Veterans, in heart and mind
Still trying to heal, from 9/11
Facing Saddam, and his kind.

With a new War, looming
And the one that we now fight
Our Soldiers and our Nation
Willing , to do whats right.

Its not something, we want
But, something, that we must
As long as we, all believe
Our cause, is true and just.

Seasoned troops and new recruits
And Patriots in our Homeland
All hoping for peace and goodwill
And Freedom, in every foreign land.

Maybe some way, sometime, this day
Will be one, of true celebration
With Veterans a part of the past
And no more War, for any Nation.

Del Abe Jones
11-10-02

VETERANS DAY, 2004

We are set to Celebrate our Vets
In this year Two Thousand Four
And sadly its another year
When our Soldiers are off at War.

Theres some say, The War is just!
And some who say, Its just not right!
But the ones we should be talking to
Are Those who Walk, not Talk the Fight.

For, not all see things the way we do
In this good ol U S of A
For they have lived for centuries
In a completely different way.

Our Troops there Work to show them
How a People Freed can live
And They put Their Lives on the Line
And for Some, thats what They Give.

So, following this Election Day
And as our Nation starts to heal
We must all come together
And let Them know how we all feel.

For, to one and all we send our, Thanks!
And Pray for Their Quick and Safe return
And Hope Their Torch of Freedom lit
Will for Now and Always Burn.

And to Those who Served before Them
In all times of Peace and War
We owe them a Debt of Gratitude
For our Life of Liberty, and so much more.

Del Abe Jones
10-04-2004

VETERANS DAY, 2005

We are set to Celebrate our Vets
In this year Two Thousand Five
Another year we wish them home
Each of them, Safe and Alive.

There's some say, "The War is just!"
And some who say, "It's just not right!"
But the ones we should be talking to
Are Those who Walk, not Talk the Fight.

Not all see things the way we do
In this good ol' U S of A
For they have lived for centuries
In a completely different way.

Our Troops there Work to show them
How a People Freed can live
And They put Their Lives on the Line
And for Some, that's what They Give.

So, as we approach this Veterans Day
We know this War is the "real deal"
We must all come together
And let Them all know how we feel.

For, to One and All we send our, "Thanks!"
And Pray for Their Quick and Safe return
And Hope Their Torch of Freedom lit
Will for Now and Always Burn.

And to Those who Served before Them
In all times of Peace and War
We owe them a Debt of Gratitude
For our Life of Liberty, and so much
more.

Del "Abe" Jones

A NEW DAY

This Veterans Day is different
And our leadership is new
Let’s hope things will get better
And they do what they should do.

Maybe next year at this time
Troops will be home or on their way
Wouldn’t that be just great
For a really different Veterans Day?

We have lost so many people
Some will suffer wounds for life
With each and every Hero changed
By wartime’s pain and strife.

They have served without complaint
Some two times and some three
Much more than we should expect
From those who protect our Liberty.

Our Troops do what they’ve always done
When our Nation has a need
To protect our Country’s shores
Or some foreign one, that needs freed.

Most everyone knows someone
Or has a loved one who was lost
And each of us must realize
That our Freedom has great cost.

Our Veterans Day is very special
A day to thank that special soul
Who will serve and fight and die for us
With Freedom’s Security their goal.

The next time you see a Uniform
Just take a moment to say, “Thanks!”
For our Country would be nothing
Without those Military Ranks.

So on this day, Two thousand six
As we Honor those who Served
Let us all strive to be a Nation
Where their sacrifice is deserved.

Del “Abe” Jones
11.10.06

THE HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY

1918

The Great War ends in the Eleventh month
On the Eleventh hour of the Eleventh day
It was called the "War to end all Wars"
At least, that's what they used to say.

1919

President Wilson proclaimed Armistice Day
To Honor those who died in "The Great War"
To "Celebrate the sanctity of Peace"
Was what this Special Day was for.

1920

The second Anniversary of the Armistice
France and England honored their Unknown Dead
President Wilson named the nearest Sunday
To be "Armistice Day Sunday", in its stead.

1921

The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier
Was Dedicated at Arlington
Congress Declared the Eleventh a Federal Holiday
For the year of Nineteen twenty-one.

1938

Legislation is passed by Congress
To make it a legal Federal Holiday
And most States choose to follow suit
And Honor that same Armistice Day.

1941-1945

World War Two is fought and won
And adds several millions more
Of veterans who Served our Country
And who Fought in another World War.

1950-1953

We had the War in Korea
And once more those numbers grew
Making three within the Tomb
Of those Soldiers no one knew.

1954

President Eisenhower changed the name
And since then, known as veterans Day
To Honor all who have ever Served
Our Nation in that Military way.

1961-1973

We had America's longest War
That was never to be completed
Some wounds lasting until this day
Sadly, back Home some were mistreated.

1968

Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law
Changing it to the fourth one in October
Why they had to mess with it?
I bet they didn't even know, for sure.

1978

They changed their mind once again
In Seventy-five, to change it back
Seems they'd have better things to do
But for wasting time, they have a knack.

To 2007

Seems we have been at War forever
And sometimes seems to be no end
Will we ever have Peace on Earth
And Troops with nowhere to send?

For as long as we need them
We will have those who Serve us all
Who will step up, do Wartime's job
Whenever they hear our Nation's call.

So this day let's tell them, "Thank you!"
And show all those Brave Souls we care
Whether they Serve us here at home
Or somewhere afar, way over there.

And let's say a Prayer for all those Lost
Heroes of whom we stand in awe
For giving their all to Wartime's curse
To this sad, uniquely Human flaw.

Del "Abe" Jones

THE INNOCENCE OF HEROES

We see faces of innocence
Upon our nations' youth -
But they've the hearts of heroes
When it comes to Liberty and Truth.

Young men and women of the Service
Standing straight and proud and tall -
Ready to fight for Freedom
Ready to give their all.

Those faces of innocence
Will return, all, world-wise -
Still looking young in body
But lifetimes' knowledge in their eyes.

There are some who will come home
To grieving families and friends -
Just a memory to those loved ones
Whose loss never really ends.

Yet those faces of innocence
And those young heroes' hearts
Will come of age once more
With dreams each new life imparts.

Another generation born
To this world of war and strife -
Searching for the elusive answer
To lasting peacetime in their life.

Why must this crazy world
Breed such pain and misery?
When will the human race
Let young innocence be?

'Guess there will always be a madman
Who is filled with hate and greed -
Who will force himself on others
And plant that killing seed.

And there will always be
Those young heroes who will fight
Who will leave their innocence behind
For what they feel is right.

Del "Abe" Jones

A MARINE BIRTHDAY
November 10)

Eight years after they were formed
At the end of the Revolutionary War
All the Navy’s ships were sold
Marines and Sailors were no more.

Then, in Seventeen ninety-eight
The Marines once more came to be
And they fought Barbary pirates
Along the “Shores of Tripoli”.

During the War of Eighteen Twelve
They defended Washington
Along with many other Operations
Before that War was done.

They served in the Mexican War
And among Battles that they fought
One to the “Halls of Montezuma”
Alongside General Winfield Scott.

“Bull Run” during the Civil War
And blockades at Cape Hatteras
At New Orleans and Charleston
And Fort Fisher toward the last.

The Spanish-American War
The Boxer Rebellion in China
Fights in Cuba, Mexico, Haiti
In Nicaragua and Panama.

On the Battlefields of France
The “Devil Dogs” earned their name
And many thousands killed or wounded
In World War One’s deadly game.

And most of us know their stories
About the Heroes of WWII
There’s some seem impossible
But we all know they’re true.

During the War in Korea
Twenty-five thousand gave their all
Fighting many gallant battles
Answering our Country’s call.

“The Cold War” found them everywhere
In countries all around the Earth
Trying hard to keep the Peace
And showing all their worth.

In Sixty-Five they landed in Da Nang
With eighty-five thousand “in country”
They served with Pride and Honor
Although our Country would not see.

On their Two Hundred Thirty-second Birthday
We have them serving in Iraq
As well as so many other places
To try to hold the Terrorists back.

Maybe someday there will be Peace
And Good Will on Earth and more
But until then lets all give Thanks
We have the United States Marine Corps.

Del “Abe” Jones
11-07-2005

Del Abe Jones