The Last Salute

The last salute I ever gave,
Before they laid them in the grave
Is remembered day-by-day.

The last roll call, before Taps was played,
Was given three times, while respects were paid.
Then gunshots rang, and casings fell,
As we stood as one, and we said, “farewell”
To the men who gave their lives.

The bagpipes hummed Amazing Grace,
As tears rolled down each soldier’s face,
And two-by-two, we filed by
Each saluting our last goodbye;
A salute I shall never forget.

This is a poem dedicated to: 1LT John Runkle, SSG Ergin Osman, SSG Edward Mills, SGT Louie Ramos, SGT Thomas Bohall, and SPC Adam Patton, who, on 26 MAY 11, were killed in action by two IED explosions in southern Afghanistan.

~Rest in peace, Gentlemen.