Poem: America’s White Crosses

America’s White Crosses

By Dave Thompson, Kenai

Have you ever walked the row on rows

Of Billys and Johnnys and Jacks and Joes

Where our nations heroes are laid to rest

In national monuments East to West

Under America’s White Crosses

Those pure white crosses, of glory divine

Reflect all hope of yours and mine.

The price they paid, lets never forget

Their devotion to Freedom, our country’s debt

Under America’s White Crosses

The countless names on honor rolls

The Wall, the plaques, the endless toll

True patriots all, they gave us lease

Engaged in war to bring world peace

Under America’s White Crosses

They gave us their all, though not in vain

Within our hearts we feel their pain

We’ll never know just how they died

For duty, honor and country pride

Under America’s White Crosses

Many of husbands, fathers, and sons

Fill unknown graves in Arlington

Their heroic lives were snatched away

By bullets and bombs and shrapnel spray

Under America’s White Crosses

Stand upright, listen, the caisson arrives

With flag draped coffin and tear filled eyes

Another young soldier, we’ll lay to rest

One of our own, our nation’s best

Under America’s White Crosses

Honor Guards ready their rifles to shoot

Silence is broken, a twenty one gun salute

A bugler plays taps, a sad consolation

For those that have died defending this nation

Under America’s White Crosses

More in Life

tease
Baking family history

This recipe is labeled “banana fudge,” but the result is more like fudgy banana brownies

tease
Off the Shelf: Nutcracker novel sets a darker stage

“The Kingdom of Sweets” is available at the Homer Public Library

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: The little tree that could

Each year I receive emails requesting a repeat of a piece I wrote years ago about being away from home on Christmas.

The mouth of Indian Creek in the spring, when the water is shallow and clear. By summertime, it runs faster and is more turbid. The hand and trekking pole at lower left belong to Jim Taylor, who provided this photograph.
The 2 most deadly years — Part 6

The two most deadly years for people on or near Tustumena Lake were 1965 and 1975

Luminaria light the path of the Third Annual StarLight StarBright winter solstice skiing fundraiser at the Kenai Golf Course in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Winter solstice skiing fundraiser delayed until January

StarLight StarBright raises funds for the Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society

File
Minister’s Message: The opportunity to trust

It was a Friday night when I received a disturbing text from… Continue reading

tease
Peanut butter balls for Ms. Autumn

This holiday treat is made in honor of the Soldotna El secretary who brings festive joy

Map courtesy of Kerri Copper
This map of Tustumena Lake was created in 1975 by John Dolph as he planned an Alaska adventure — and delayed honeymoon — for himself and his wife, Kerri. On the upper end of the lake, Dolph had penciled in two prospective camping sites.
The 2 most deadly years — Part 5

AUTHOR’S NOTE: The two most deadly years for people on or near… Continue reading

Marathon Petroleum Kenai Refinery General Manager Bruce Jackman presents a novelty check for $50,000 to the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Marathon donates $50,000 to Kenai Peninsula Food Bank

Funds were raised during fishing fundraiser held this summer

Most Read