The Sentry, #MFRWHook

Although my excerpts for the MFRW Book Hooks are usually romance, this week's book hook is a reprise of one taken from Hearth and Sand. Presented for your consideration are selected verses from the poem aptly titled, "The Sentry." Like the other stories in the collection that comprises Heart and Sand, "The Sentry" reflects a continuity of service from the past to the present. 

 

Although the poem pertains to a tomb of an unknown soldier, the inspiration for this piece did not come from the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia  or the toss of a wreath into the sea. Instead it was from solemn commemorations held in a small town to mark the one-year anniversary of 9-11-2001. The image of a sentry was a solitary bagpiper atop a hill. The flag was not draping a casket but hoisted from the extended ladder of a firetruck. A line of helmets atop empty boots symbolized the cost of duty.

Excerpt:

 

Eerie notes float across the field
A signal that day is done.
But not for me... not for me
I am the chosen one.

My task is simple
The command understood.
To stand my post
Here at the edge of the woods.

From each generation one soul is drawn
From among the honored dead.
No name is known, no one can mourn
He is a chosen one, a sentry for the dead.

And now I join them
An American soldier known but to God.
We came from desert, jungle, and field.

I am the latest of the lost.

**  END OF EXCERPT ***

For the rest of the poem, I hope you'll consider buying Hearth and Sand. Amazon     More Ebook Sellers 

The tales in Hearth and Sand cross genre from contemporary to historical, and science fiction to poetry and are a collection of twelve tales of those who served on the front lines and the stories of loved ones left behind who preserved the home front. Set universes apart and separated by decades in time, the stories reflect a continuity of service from the past to the present and into the world of tomorrow. Although the events are fictional, the voices captured within these pages came from historical notes, veterans’ own words, letters left by their ancestors, or contemporary events. Pen was put to paper while watching fighter planes land in the Philippine Islands and in the shaded woods of a stateside farm.


Buy Links: Amazon  More Ebook Sellers

This Veterans Day, thank a vet. For freedom isn't free. Thank you for your service.

Honoring the Uniform and Those Who Served

Memorial Day and Veterans Day honor two aspects of military service -- those who served and those who in doing so made the ultimate sacrifice. However recognition of our veterans should not be restricted to one or two days a year. In that vein, not quite a reprise, but a listing of other posts on the topic of duty and honor.

 


Echoes From The Valley  - click on the link for an excerpt from the tale where a soldier from the past honored his descendant's duty. 

 
The Home Front - Another Side of War

The Statue

Armistice Day to Veterans Day

Freedom Isn't Free

Choosing Just One

And finally,Hearth and Sand Twelve tales of those who served on the front lines and the stories of loved ones left behind who preserved the home front. Set universes apart and separated by decades in time, the stories in Hearth and Sand reflect a continuity of service from the past to the present and into the world of tomorrow. 

The Sentry, #MFRWHook

Although my excerpts for the MFRW Book Hooks blog are usually romance. This week's book hook is another clip from Hearth and Sand. Instead of a ghost story like last week's clip from "Echoes From The Valley," presented for your consideration another aspect of sentry duty. Another difference is that instead of an excerpt from a short story, this week's book hook features selected verses from the poem aptly titled, "The Sentry." Like the other stories in the collection that comprises Heart and Sand, "The Sentry" reflects a continuity of service from the past to the present.

Although the poem pertains to a tomb of an unknown soldier, the inspiration for this piece did not come from the memorial in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Instead it was from a day when solemn commemorations held in a small town to mark the one-year anniversary of 9-11-2001 replaced the laying of a wreath in Arlington or the toss of one into the sea. The image of a sentry was a solitary bagpiper atop a hill. The flag was not draping a casket but hoisted from the extended ladder of a firetruck. A line of helmets atop empty boots symbolized the cost of duty.

Excerpt:

Eerie notes float across the field
A signal that day is done.
But not for me... not for me
I am the chosen one.

My task is simple
The command understood
To stand my post
Here at the edge of the woods.

From each generation one soul is drawn
From among the honored dead.
No name is known, no one can mourn
He is a chosen one, a sentry for the dead.

And now I join them
An American soldier known but to God.
We came from desert, jungle, and field.
I am the latest of the lost.

**  END OF EXCERPT ***

For the rest of the poem, I hope you'll consider buying Hearth and Sand. Amazon    More Ebook Sellers 

The tales in Hearth and Sand cross genre from contemporary to historical, and science fiction to poetry and are a collection of twelve tales of those who served on the front lines and the stories of loved ones left behind who preserved the home front. Set universes apart and separated by decades in time, the stories in Hearth and Sand reflect a continuity of service from the past to the present and into the world of tomorrow. Although the events are fictional, the voices captured within these pages came from historical notes, veterans’ own words, letters left by their ancestors, or contemporary events. Pen was put to paper while watching fighter planes land in the Philippine Islands and in the shaded woods of a stateside farm.


Buy Links: Amazon    More Ebook Sellers

Armistice Day to Veterans Day, Thanks for Services Rendered

Yesterday was the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Once called Armistice Day, today the date is used to honor veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. In the United States, Armistice Day evolved into Veterans Day, while communities, big and small, across Canada hold Remembrance Day ceremonies. Just a quick glance at my family tree shows a long history of military service. From grandfathers to fathers to sons, soldiers to sailors, marines to air corps, members of my family have served from World War I through to the deserts of the Middle East.

While thoughts of supporting those in military service often fade with the sunset of a patriotic holiday, care packages, thoughts and prayers are needed all year round. If you don’t have a spouse, a son or grandson, or niece or granddaughter wearing the uniform, there are numerous organization and sites that allows connections to be made or personnel supported. Some like the Lt. Dennis Zilinski Foundation (www.runwithdennis.org) are inspired by those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Others are just local organizations whose members want to make life easier for men and women in the armed services. 

And remember, not all soldiers wear uniforms or walk on two feet. Working dogs also serve. Various charities support either active duty war dogs or those transitioning to civilian life. A number of them can be found here.

Whatever you do, whether you nod to a veteran and say thank you for your service, or watch a local parade, keep those who defend our freedoms in mind, even after the sunset of the official holiday passes. To those in uniform--now and in the past, thank you for your service.

Helen