As we come to Independence Day

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

A huge shout out to all of our service men and women, past and present who serve and continue to serve to allow us the freedoms of independence. With special recognition to the nurses, the medics, the techs. What you all do is not and was not easy, and thanks so much for your service.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I agree. Men and women in uniform should be appreciated and recognized for all of the sacrifices that they have made to ensure our freedom.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

And also to our fallen brothers and sisters in arms. God speed.

[bds165]

Here, Here!

[navylynn]

:yelclap:

[JustADream]

This was sent to me via e-mail for Independence Day. I don't know who wrote it, but wanted to share it in this thread:

I watched the flag pass by one day,

It fluttered in the breeze.

A young soldier saluted it,

And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform

So young, so tall, so proud,

With hair cut square and eyes alert

He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him

Had fallen through the years.

How many died on foreign soil

How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?

How many died at sea

How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?

No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,

When everything was still,

I listened to the bugler play

And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times

That Taps had meant "Amen,"

When a flag had draped a coffin.

Of a brother, sister or a friend.

I thought of all the children,

Of the mothers and the wives,

Of fathers, sons and husbands

With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard

At the bottom of the sea

Of unmarked graves in Arlington.

No, freedom isn't free.

-Author unknown