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.)17Please respect copyright.PENANA0AFkNlKMLD
17Please respect copyright.PENANAA7AXcalUUr
DEATH OF A QUIET SOLDIER17Please respect copyright.PENANAbY8vVAh118
17Please respect copyright.PENANA3gGOexpUWe
Behind enemy lines you gave your life,17Please respect copyright.PENANAEGuRdVohrF
The risks you knew and embraced willingly,17Please respect copyright.PENANAhNPJ5RfJHQ
Red, black and green berets fought by your side,17Please respect copyright.PENANAGDelUUlXRS
And brought your body back to family.17Please respect copyright.PENANAF5st4Uy507
17Please respect copyright.PENANANBFz3BJHHf
Later in a ritual of their own,17Please respect copyright.PENANA8pddf1XQCK
They would name a field airport in your name,17Please respect copyright.PENANA4KMoVboblY
And honor you, your brothers, far from home,17Please respect copyright.PENANAvq4IRAmaiU
Their memory now your eternal flame.17Please respect copyright.PENANAK7XT8vN0SP
17Please respect copyright.PENANA4t5D3bMkDo
I do not know your rank, your name, your face,17Please respect copyright.PENANAmBYVLsmuaF
I only know that I am in your debt,17Please respect copyright.PENANAtKCJp8SrKH
Who for your family can take your place?17Please respect copyright.PENANA7MuksP3UV3
Our debt to them we must never forget.17Please respect copyright.PENANAXMWyec4EDl
17Please respect copyright.PENANAqrTZmgfIWA
The freedom I enjoy comes thanks to you,17Please respect copyright.PENANAw9SAtm4Iuy
And all who serve with honor, proud and true.17Please respect copyright.PENANAwbCUqqPQhw
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 13
BOOKMARKS 0

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