UN-REPLACEABLE LOSSES 

Once filled with life, dreams of the future

 remembered, never to be forgotten

from birth to death in war

so short a time, so unfair, a lifetime perished

how would they have lived?

what would they have accomplished?

A president maybe, sports star, actor

these possibilities never to be known

these hero's gone before their time

never having their chance to grow in life

names forever on the wall

their dust now settled deep inside this earth

now a rich soil, which has enabled 

the rest of us to grow, achieve our goals

some have failed, but at least had a chance

this freedom we know today

paid for in full by these brave men and women

who gave up so much

their lives, their futures, for us

a debt impossible to be repaid

our down payment to these hero's

RESPECT, it's a start

© Chuck Preston 7-2001