You look so young
smiling nervously for the camera
quite handsome in your new uniform
A farm boy called to fight in a war
a world away from the Oklahoma crossroads
where you grew up
You told us about the time
you got shot in the arm
You said the nurse was really nice and
the needle didn’t hurt too much
We laughed at your joke
but knew you escaped heavy combat
only by a twist of fate
and a revised timetable
You came home and raised a family and
taught us to appreciate life
No lectures; you taught by example
We learned civics and civility and
truthfulness and trustworthiness
We learned to honor the honorable
and to try… try… not to judge
I’m not the most stalwart patriot
but I cry at parades
when the flag bearers pass by
in their crisp uniforms
and I hold my hand over my heart
in respect for the flag, and I
remember that some fathers or mothers,
sisters or brothers, sons or daughters
didn’t come home
and I vow to raise my family, and
teach them civics and civility and
truthfulness and trustworthiness
… and honor
What Rhymes with Stanza? 
That’s very touching. You had a handsome dad!
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Thank you. Yes, he was. ❤
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Very nice! You give those qualities the virtue they deserve, and bring tears to my eyes.
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Thank you. So kind of you. I try…
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I love this tribute to your father. You speak to my heart when you honor the lessons learned from dads who helped us grow into good people through their example. I get choked up at flags passing in parades, too ❤️🇺🇸
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Thank you. It’s a blessing to have parents you can look up to. I used to take that for granted.
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