Sentinels at Arlington

February 25, 2023

Like the lonely sentinels,

Whom they represent-

They guard the long forsaken shells-

And care not where they went.

Ash to ash, dust to dust-

Our nations proudest sons,

Lie beneath Virginia fields,

Victims of the guns.

A soldiers duty is to stand

And serve to make a hedge-

Protecting home and hearth and kin,

A nations cutting edge.

Forgotten heroes of the past-

Beneath the sod they lie,

I hear the bugles, fifes and drums,

As they muster in the sky!

“Forward march”! all in step-

They past reviewing stands,

Each one in his alloted spot

According to the lands...

They gave their all and shed their blood

To hold, to take some hill-

And after their objectives fell,

Their bodies lay so still.

The sentinels are silent ones-

Stark crosses, plain and white,

To grace the graves at Arlington

This cold, November night.

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