Exceptional Dedicated to a local fallen hero. His Father's Eyes by Dean Kuch      In Their Memory Contest Winner

His Father's Eyes ~~~~~~0~~~~~~   The bugler blows a sad refrain, where heroes die and thus, are lain, to rest beneath the saffron grass. Horse drawn processions slowly pass...   Yet, stoic still — there stands one man, hears neither bugler nor the band, come to honor his only son, who's died for freedoms left undone...   A single tear slides down his cheek, Oh how he longs to hear him speak; “Daddy, can't we both go fishin?” Why had his son gone on that mission...   The IED rent blood and bone, to prayerful pleas — “Please send me home!” Soldiers scrambled from mangled wreck, no help forthcoming, not one speck...   Black veiled assassin left unseen, the sandy ground – soaked red and green – as oily smoke darkened dim skies; no one would calm their tortured cries...   And now, all that the man has left, a folded flag, nation bereft, as yet another young man dies... a hero in his father's eyes. Will...this one's for you. ~~~~~~0~~~~~~   Writing Prompt Write a poem, any type, about the members of the military present and past. In Their Memory Contest Winner Recognized Author Notes Pfc. William S. Blevins Hometown: Sardinia, Ohio Age: 21 Died: May 23 2011 in Operation Enduring Freedom This brave young man was a dear friend of my son and a graduate of Eastern High school in Brown County, Ohio. Our small farming community was devastated by the news as we learned Will had been killed in an IED attack upon his Humvee convoy in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. Nearly the entire community attended his funeral service. His memory, and the memory of speaking with his dear father on that sorrow-filled day, immediately came to mind when I saw this prompt. Will was just twenty-one years old. Our county has a memorial highway dedicated to his memory. It was the very least we could do. Thanks so much for reading.

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