Unknown

We all know that freedom isn't free

Laid to rest with honor

No name upon the stone

May he have eternal rest

In the Tomb of the Unknown

 

Unknown, where he came from;

Unknown, how he died

Deserving of all homage

For what has been denied

 

The family had no closure

Parents grieved, but never knew

A grateful country owes him;

He paid our freedom’s due

 

Guards walk the mat precisely,

Their brother, never alone;

Twenty-one solemn paces

At the Tomb of the Unknown

 

Here rests in honored glory

In tribute without cease 

A soldier known but to God 

Beneath Victory, Valor, and Peace

Author's Note

I am always greatly affected by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at Arlington. I feel that these men paid the ultimate price, and then some, because their families were denied their final goodbyes. This is the Memorial I will be thinking about this Memorial Day.

Reviews

[John Lauterbach]

In the 3rd and 4th stanzas, could you get away with dropping the 's' on the last words of each? 'Due' sounds okay to me, but 'Unknown' I'm unsure of only because you use 'Unknowns' in the first stanza. Changing the name like that might be confusing.

Only gripe. Wonderful for Memorial Day.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, John. I wrestled with those s-es too. I agree - I may change "dues" to "due", but I went with Unknowns because that is the correct name of the monument; there are more than one soldiers there; I wanted to keep it accurate.

[Rita L. Sev]

*duh - there are multiple soldiers there. Coffee hasn't kicked in yet...

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

This is touching...Nice tribute to those unknown heroes.

Good job, Rita. Another lesson in History class? Lol. You're great!

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! Thanks, Dhaye!

[Rogue]

This is very thoughtful and extremely well written.

"Their families had no closure
Mothers grieved, but never knew"


These lines really bring this home and make one stop and think. How truly horrible that must be.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Rogue. That is what makes me so sad at this memorial - the families that never knew...

[Antoinette Tarsitano-Mo..]

Wow -- all I can say is "Wow"!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Antoinette - wasn't expecting the "wow" factor!

[Jack...]

Awe inspiring dear Rita, You have penned a wonderful tribute to the greatest heores we could ever know.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Jack. I wanted to do these men justice.

[Marie]

You are right. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers stands for a great deal...what they did for their country...what this country has tried to do for them...

[Rita L. Sev]

Yes, absolutely. Thank you, Marie.

[Debbie_Philly]

RITA... wow this is amazing.. I wish that i could share it with everyone... my Mom would love it... thank you for honoring our men and women with this beautiful and poignant piece :) Thank you !!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, sincerely, Debbie. Please feel free to share this with whomever you think would appreciate it.

[Angi]

Bravo, Rita! I have never been there, but my mom and I would go to the cemetery in FL where my step dad was buried to place flags and pay respects on Memorial day. That little cemetery full of brave men and women was awe inspiring. I can't imagine Arlington. Beautifuuly written. Angi~

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Angi. Arlington is an amazing space; one cannot go there without feeling the pride and sacrifice. My father-in law is inurned there; I will never forget that service.

[quinfinn]

all Americans should visit the cemetery at Arlington. gives you a whole new perspective on why we honor our troops.

[Rita L. Sev]

I completely agree! Of course, I also think that every American should visit Independence Park, to see where it all began...

[quinfinn]

absolutely...i have been all over America...there are only four states i have not been to. alaska, hawaii, utah and colorado

[Rita L. Sev]

Wow - I have not been to as many states as I would like, but I want to see as many as I can. My husband was in Alaska when he was in the Army. His description - COLD!

[quinfinn]

i had one of those "traveling" jobs for about 7 years....saw much of the U.S.

[quinfinn]

i have been to Arlington, many times, having lived in Virginia most of my adult life. the sheer size of the cemetery and the rows of crosses and stars of david are just overwhelming in scope. there is a profound reverence you feel when standing there and it affects everyone who visits. as to the tomb of the unknown...it is a creepy calm there, and the presence of the marine guard at his post emphasizes the respect and dignity these brave men receive 24/7 ....i get a lump in my throat just thinking about it. thank you for sharing this magnificent homage to those brave men and women of our armed forces. well penned!

[Rita L. Sev]

I too have been to Arlington often, most recently about a year and a half ago when my father-in-law was inurned there. The whole cemetery is, as you say, overwhelming. When you take in just one of the graves, there is a tug at the heart and a swelling of sorrow and pride.
One correction, dear Quin - the Tomb Guards are from the Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment. (My father-in-law and husband were both Army men, and I would be remiss not to give the Army their due!) :)

[quinfinn]

i stand corrected......very impressive, nonetheless!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you! :)