Submitted by: Marcus Massey

Category: Poetry

As I traveled through a small town in America, I happened to notice an old gentleman praying in front of a war memorial. A memorial wall that honored all the fallen sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters that gave their lives for this small town in all the wars, conflicts, and battles that this great nation has endured.

Being a veteran myself, I decided to pull over and pay my respects. After a few quiet minutes, facing the memorial, the old man asked, “anyone here that you know, young man?”

I solemnly answered, “No sir, I'm not from around here.”

The old man looked at me and said, “Don't matter,” before once again facing the wall.

I looked at the old man and asked, “How 'bout you?”

The old man again turned to face me and said, “All my brothers and sisters are on that wall. The mothers and fathers of my brothers and sisters are on that wall.”

And with a single tear in a tired old eye, he said, “And one day, my name, too, will be on that wall.”

I shook the old soldier's hand, thanked him for his service, said my goodbyes, and walked back to my bike.

As I mounted my Hog, I turned to wave to the old veteran, but he was gone. I searched and searched, but to no avail. He was gone...

Thinking I imagined the whole thing, I saluted the fallen brave and turned to leave.

At that moment, the sky opened up, the sun shined through, and I heard angels sing.

I looked back and saw that there was one more name on the wall.

About the author:

Marcus E. "Wun Mo" Massey is a 60 year old Vietnam veteran, retired millwright, member of The American Legion and American Legion Riders post #522, and an avid Harley Davidson enthusiast.