I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die
Author Unknown
A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reservist is someone who,
at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America,"
for an amount of "up to and including my life." That is Honor, and there are way too many people
in this country who no longer understand it.
-- Author Unknown --
The following was found on the internet. The original author is listed and is under his copyright.
I take no credit for the writing, only the presentation.
"What is a Brother"
I met a man the other night
Who really took me to task
What's all this about Brothers?
Was the question he had asked
His manner really stunned me
And then it made me sore
But I pulled myself together
Before I put him on the floor
A Brother is a Veteran
Soldier, Sailor, or Marine
Coast Guardsman, Seaman, Airman Blue
Marine or Soldier Green
They've stood together strong and proud
And fought across the sea
Gone where ordered without a word
For the cause of liberty
Persian Gulf and World War Two
Parades when they came home
Korea and then Viet Nam
When Brothers came home alone
A Brother has shared a lot
Cold, snow, heat, and rain
He has held a Brother in his arms
Crying to ease the pain
A Brother will be there for you
It's something that you learn
A Brother will give you his last dime
And ask nothing in return
Brothers ban together
United for all to see
A Brother watches over a Brother
And his entire family
And one last thing said I
And he finally understood
At every cemetary, around the world
Are guards from the Brotherhood.
(c) A.J. Welch
October 1996
Judgement Day
The soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass
"Step forward now you soldier
How shall I deal with you
Have you always turned the other cheek
To My Church have you been true?"
The soldier squared his shoulders and said
"No Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough
And sometimes I've been violent
Because the world is awfully rough
But I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear
And sometimes God forgive me
I've wept unmanly tears
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears
If you've a place for me here, Lord
It needn't be so grand
I never expected or had much
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the soldier waited quietly
For the judgement of his God
"Step forward now you soldier
You've borne your burdens well
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets
You've done your time in Hell."
Author Unknown
Family Veteran History 
