The Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

We piled into the packed gym

We all clapped when they came in

They walked to their assigned places

They saluted with stern faces

There had to be about 60 soldiers

Most were 60 years or older

There were four speeches spoke that day

One staff, one student, and two soldiers paved the way

When they spoke of the soldiers missing in action

Tears were many of the veterans automatic reactions

I had sympathy but I couldn't empathize

When they folded the flag my heart started to realize

As we all stood and the trumpet sounded

I heard 21 shots made by the beat my heart pounded

With every shot another tear dropped off my face

These were the cries made for memories that cannot be erased

I realized that there were more scars than what could be seen

I saw the scars on the hearts of the men and women who stood before me

On the eleventh day of the eleventh month I felt their pain

I didn't even need to know their names