Congressional Eulogy
I believe that Service Members (especially kids who join right out of high school and are mislead by commercials and recruiters) should never be ignored or denied once they have kept their promise to this country.
There is no trepidation
as I put ink to sheet
for without reservation
you gave life complete
we asked you for loyalty
we asked you to give all
you gave without fear
to answer this call
you did all we asked
and gave all you could
but, now that you’re gone
you do us no good
so, we, in return
for this sacrifice great
will muddle your legacy
through politics and hate
we’ll debate and deny
till we’re blue in the face
your orientation
your sex, and your race
we will find a reason
no matter how small
to deny your family
what is promised to all
for if we made good
and honored your name
there’d be nothing left
to which we could lay claim
so your children will suffer
your parents will grieve
and others will come
for us to deceive
(2002)
