Today is June 6th – D-Day, and I couldn’t let today pass without another tribute to our soldiers.  After my recent visit to France and Omaha Beach, it’s now top-of-mind for me.  A bottle of sand from Omaha Beach sits on my desk as a daily reminder of what a bad day is really like, and what a good day it really is as a result of our freedom achieved by the men and women who serve our country.  I’ve written two other posts (#89 D-Day revisited and #93 Memorial Day) to express my gratitude to these heroes.

Many families have loved-ones who are currently serving our country.  Our next-door neighbor has left her daughter and husband to serve our country in Germany, and will not return home until the Holidays.  I don’t know them well, but appreciate the sacrifices that the entire family is making.  We hear stories every day of soldiers separated from their homes, joyous reunions as they return, and tragic tales of loss.   I think of my mom, waiting for my dad to return from WWII, and my grandmothers waiting for my grandfathers, who both served in WWI.  Fortunately, they all came home.

I went to a friend of mine’s home a few years back and there was a “service banner” near the front door, blue star on a white background with a red border.  I had not seen one before, so I asked its significance.  He said that a “Blue Star” is a reference to having a family member in active military service, while a “Gold Star” refers to the loss of a family member in military service.  His son was then serving in Afghanistan, so the banner was a tribute to him.  He also told me that they were about to add a second blue star for their daughter, who had just enlisted.  Two children to worry about, so far away from home – it was hard to imagine.  I wrote this poem to show my support:

The Star

There are Stars among us,

And most don’t even know.

And when we think about it,

Tears quite often flow.

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Some are tears of gratitude,

Others stream from fear.

Brave heroes keep us free,

Loved ones we hold dear.

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Some are home already,

Others lost for good.

People that we work with,

Or from our neighborhood.

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While they’re away from us,

A symbol in their stead.

Blue Star on White,

Outlined in Red.

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Hanging in the window,

Our Star is shining bright.

We hope it keeps him safe,

Makes him strong to fight.

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A sense of pride and honor,

A sacrifice we’ve made.

As parents of a soldier,

We wish he could have stayed.

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We dearly love our country,

Knowing Peace is hard to find.

We would go in his place,

Instead we’re left behind.

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Although we aren’t there with him,

He’s always on our mind.

In waiting for his next call,

Somehow strength we find.

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We’ve seen him grow into a man,

We’ve taught him all we know.

Proudly dressed in uniform,

So hard to watch him go.

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Now we’re doing double-duty,

As our Star becomes a pair.

His sister joins the Service,

A family affair.

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Two Stars in the window,

Hanging side by side.

Two proud parents,

Home alone inside.

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Clinging to the cell phone,

Used to having them around.

Daily hoping for a sign,

That each is safe and sound.

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Each time they call or write,

Relief is short but grand.

We pray for our reunion,

Safe on this Texas land.

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Until our Stars come into view,

And the twinkle of life returns.

A black hole in our soul,

Makes our stomachs churn.

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Nothing’s as important,

Our family’s number one.

These Stars will shine upon us,

Until this fight is won.

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Copyright johnstonwrites.com 2009