The following sonnet is based on a true story related to me by a family member who is a special forces Parajumper. I am reprinting it here as a reminder of the sacrifice our men and women in uniform endure to pay for the freedom we enjoy. Please remember our fallen and their families this Memorial Day--and every day. ("Quiet soldiers" is a term some special forces members use to describe themselves.)232Please respect copyright.PENANAZtcie5p45D
232Please respect copyright.PENANAXHio2EJ5f4
DEATH OF A QUIET SOLDIER232Please respect copyright.PENANAgr7hcl3ts0
232Please respect copyright.PENANATJjS4KjHbW
Behind enemy lines you gave your life,232Please respect copyright.PENANAbain3fDKmV
The risks you knew and embraced willingly,232Please respect copyright.PENANAIioMr8P6FS
Red, black and green berets fought by your side,232Please respect copyright.PENANAkzpgLXRPp0
And brought your body back to family.232Please respect copyright.PENANAaNw8FxHLPN
232Please respect copyright.PENANAp4qhe8Buwl
Later in a ritual of their own,232Please respect copyright.PENANAJZFXJJYV8M
They would name a field airport in your name,232Please respect copyright.PENANAvAyW7T1NvS
And honor you, your brothers, far from home,232Please respect copyright.PENANA4FBAUOCMvD
Their memory now your eternal flame.232Please respect copyright.PENANAdaurInZMrA
232Please respect copyright.PENANA2zSj3zbhmn
I do not know your rank, your name, your face,232Please respect copyright.PENANAszWe2Qx9yY
I only know that I am in your debt,232Please respect copyright.PENANAfZzB0ejQEw
Who for your family can take your place?232Please respect copyright.PENANA3r1lYlJXyy
Our debt to them we must never forget.232Please respect copyright.PENANA56fCQjRgIZ
232Please respect copyright.PENANAF6HPx5MiVz
The freedom I enjoy comes thanks to you,232Please respect copyright.PENANAglJKeuK0zt
And all who serve with honor, proud and true.232Please respect copyright.PENANAoewsR3Dt95
arrow_back
Remember Our Fallen This Memorial Day Weekend
more_vert
-
info_outline Info
-
toc Table of Contents
-
share Share
-
format_color_text Display Settings
-
exposure_plus_1 Recommend
-
report_problem Report
-
account_circle Login
Search stories, writers or societies
Continue ReadingClear All
What Others Are ReadingRefresh
X
Never miss what's happening on Penana!
Remember Our Fallen This Memorial Day Weekend
Author:
Victor D. Lopez
ISSUE #2
Death of a Quiet Soldier (sonnet)
LIKES 0
READS 228
BOOKMARKS 0
Login with Facebook
or Sign up/Login to comment or bookmark! Click to load the next chapter
×
Remember Our Fallen This Memorial Day Weekend
Poetry
Last updated: May 26, 2025
Total word count: 658
Total reading time: 3 Minutes
Writer:
sacrifice
honor
duty
gratitude
memorial_day
fallen_heroes
Report this story
×
Write down what you like about the story
×
Reading Theme:
Font Size:
Line Spacing:
Paragraph Spacing:
Load the next issue automatically
Reset to default
×
People Who Like This
x
Before You Publish
Please ensure your story does not contain illegal, hateful, inciting, or violence-promoting content, or any infringing, plagiarized, or spam material, and that it complies with Penana’s Terms of Use.
Penana reserves the right to remove any content that violates these rules or causes legal or community risk, and to suspend or terminate related accounts.

