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Quiet Heroes

My father never talked about
The war to end all wars
Just rose for work each morning
Kissed his wife and went out the door.

He never told the many stories
Of his pain or sacrifice-
He worked hard to raise a family
And lived a quiet life.

I never heard the chronicles
Of his battles fought in war,
Or heard an explanation
For the scars his body bore.

I didn't hear the details
Of his battles fought in France,
He would never linger
On each deed or circumstance.

But I would learn much later
Of this quiet hero's life
I learned that freedoms earned
By blood and pain and strife--

And I learned that quiet heroes
Speak volumes with their lives,
They rise for work each morning
And at the door-they kiss their wives…


Sharon Frye
© 2006

Dedicated to WWII veterans and all men and women serving
in our Armed forces for their sacrifices of blood, sweat, tears and toil.