Glendale Memorial Day

GLENDALE — On Memorial Day the Glendale town hall was decorated with soldiers’ images spread across the walls and windows. A helmet, vest and rounds of am­munition displayed. To those who had not experienced the weight of such baggage, it was truly overwhelm­ing. Realizing that a soldier could lay down the physical burden and walk away was a fleeting thought, when one paused to realize that the mental and emotional weight was much heavier. Oh, our dear soldiers carried so much, an overwhelm­ing weight of responsi­bility, which would be with them for the rest of their lives. God bless our veterans, both living and those who are gone. Let us never forget. All gave some, some gave all.

Life’s Battles Myrna Cox

Beyond the heavy armor

An invisible war from within

Burdens carried to battle fronts

Some conflicts, much harder to win

The burden of leav­ing loved ones

The armor - much less to compare

The heaviness of abandonment

For those whose lives you share.

The weight of one’s comrade

To never let them down

A commitment that you promised

The weight of boots on the ground

The silent burden of doubt

Wondering - night into day

If you will see your loved ones

Or a much bigger price to pay?

The thundering sounds of warfare

Etched upon the heart

The sights and sounds of conflict

Of which you are a part.

Oh, a burden of the weight

A mixture of all you become

Heavy loads upon the soul

To the beat of the battle drum

Some burdens can be dropped

Discarded and left alone

Burdens of the previ­ous souls

Will often come back home.

Yes, beyond the heavy armor

The invisible wars from within

God bless those who carry it all

Some battles are so hard to win