Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Veterans Day Tribute--By Karen O'Leary--United States

Today is Veterans Day in the United States.  Thank you to all the Veterans, Current Military Personnel, Law Enforcement Officials and their Families for all the sacrifices they have made or are making to promote freedom and protect people around the world. This is a day to honor you and your partners all over the world that share in a vision for peace.  May God protect each and every one of you.

Our Nation’s Heroes
        
Bless our nation’s veterans,
    protectors of this land.
Despite how hard the mission,
    side by side they took a stand.
They fought with faith and honor,
    hearts filled with country pride.
Defenders of our freedom,
    some were wounded, others died.
Bless these loyal heroes,
    souls one in righting wrong.
With gratitude, we laud them
    for they kept our nation strong.


Karen O'Leary is a freelance writer/editor from West Fargo, ND.  Her poetry, short stories, and articles have been published in a variety of venues.  She released her first book of poetry in 2011 called Whispers... published by A.P.F. Publisher.  Their second project, Snippets...an anthology of short verse, contains poetry from 73 talented writers from across the world and was released in 2012.  Karen is a member of The Writers and Poetry Alliance and the Haiku Society of America.

37 comments:

  1. So very well said Karen, how very much we owe to those that have lost or given so much in both our countries - what a wonderful heart you have to pen this tributary piece! x

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  2. Dear Anna-Marie,

    You have a wonderful heart too my friend. Thank you for adding your lovely thoughts to this tribute.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  3. as a veteran (and poet) (and, simply, as a person) your poem is deeply appreciated (and!, as states anaisnais, are the veterans of all countries)

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    1. Dear ayaz,

      Thank you so much for your service. You and your fellow veterans all over the world deserve our gratitude. Blessings to you.

      Warm regards,
      Karen

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  4. Wonderful we have much to thank all the Veterans and also the soldiers today that are out there doing their duty ... God Bless Them All... Pat Simpsonxxx

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    1. Dear Pat,

      Amen! I know you appreciate all those that are serving and have served. It was a pleasure sharing poetry for the Remembrance book you put together as a fundraiser. Thank you for all you do.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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  5. Heartfelt poem...a worthy tribute to those who give their all to their country. Today in Malta I attended a ceremony in Valletta, in remembrance of those who died in the First & Second World Wars; very touching. // paul

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  6. Dear Paul,

    It's so wonderful how things connect across the globe in an effort to support others. Thank you for your lovely honors and for honoring those that served today.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  7. Very touching poem ...
    Bless you all!
    Lavana

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    1. Dear Lavana,

      Thank you for your kind words. Yes, "Bless you all!"

      Warm regards,
      Karen

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  8. Karen, thanks for remembering us veterans. It means a lot to those of us who served. Hooah!!

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    1. Dear Tom,

      Thank you so much for your service and all you sacrificed for others. It is a pleasure to honor you and others who have given so much.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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    2. Wonderful tribute to our veterans Karen. My husband, who is a Navy Vet & , attended a ceremony to honor the Vet locally, and my granddaughter's select high school choir sang the National Anthem & other patriotic songs. Very touching! Thanks for sharing your lovely poem. Love, Chris~

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    3. We owe them so much....It was wonderful to read your tribute to them Karen:
      Thanks to all who give or have given their service and especially to those who gave the greatest sacrifice of all,
      Sincerely,
      Suzanne

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    4. Dear Christine,

      Tell your husband thank you for his service. Sounds like the program was wonderful. Thank you for your kind words on this tribute.

      Blessings,
      Karen

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    5. Dear Suzanne,

      Thank you for your lovely comments and support of those that serve so that we may have the freedoms we enjoy. Blessings to you.

      Sincerely,
      Karen

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  9. Karen,
    How very touching of you to do that. Thanks to Ayaz, Tom and all the veterans on this site as well as those not on this site around the world!
    Your friend,
    David Fox

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  10. Dear David,

    So kind of you to stop by and thank our Vets too. Your kind words are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  11. Dear Karen,

    A lovely, heartfelt tribute to the Veteran's who served and gave their lives our countries to have freedom and liberties we have now. Today was our Remembrance Day here in Canada too for our Veteran's. Well said and written, my friend.

    Love Sandra

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    1. Dear Sandra,

      I'm glad to hear you celebrate Veterans in Canada too. Thank you for your kind words. You are such a blessing to so many. Keep on letting your light shine.

      Love,
      Karen

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  12. Thank you Karen for your excellent tribute to military men and women the world over.
    As a veteran of the U. S. Army I appreciate the wonderful support given our military active and veteran men and women the world over. You are so very thoughtful for everyone. Robert Hewett

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  13. Dear Robert,

    Thank you for your service to this country and to the world. It is people like you that provide the freedom we sometimes take too lightly. Glad you enjoyed the tribute

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  14. How beautifully put Karen. Well done indeed.

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  15. Dear Pam,

    Thank you for your kind words. It is important that we thank and honor those that serve. The give so much.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  16. Thank you, Phyllis Babcock, for the following--

    I want to say what a wonderful tribute to the veteran's in your poem. Well done Karen.

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  17. Dear Phyllis,

    So good to hear from you today and get your lovely words. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and support my friend. It means a lot to me.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  18. Hi Karen. I absolutely love "Veterans Day Tribute!" What a passionate and powerful poetic dedication to the men and women who keep our country safe and help to ensure our freedoms. Thank you so much for sharing it. Continued blessings to you and yours! -MJ

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  19. Dear Maurice,

    Thank you so much for your kind words. I think it is important to remember those offer so much for others. I appreciate your ongoing encouragement and support.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  20. Dearest Karen, your poem is passionate and unselfish in this remembrance! I wish this would occur daily and not just one day out of the year. We have all so much for which to be thankful and your thoughtful and heartfelt poem speaks for all of us out here about those who serve and dedicate their own freedoms to protect our right to breathe and live! What they all give up to do that is mind-boggling! Thanks for writing and sharing a wonderful sentiment that is felt by us all! God bless you and God bless our servicemen and women and those veterans whose lives will never be the same, and of course, God Bless America and this world! Sheri / www.poetryandbeyond.net

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  21. Dear Sheri,

    Thank you my friend for these lovely words. I agree with you, we need to pray for our troops and peace in the world more often. I try to remember to thank people for their service more often. Blessings to you for sharing this reflection.

    Warm regards,
    Karen

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  22. Thank you, Andrea Dietrich, for the following--

    This was a lovely reminder to us, Karen.

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  23. Dear Andrea,

    Thank you so much. I think we all need to remember those that serve and sacrifice so much. I appreciate your support.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  24. Dear Jack,

    Thank you so much for your kind words and ongoing encouragement. What a blessing you are in my life.

    Best wishes,
    Karen

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  25. Thank you, Lanette Kissel, for the following--

    Your Veterans Day poem is lovely. Great job Karen.

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  26. Dear Lanette,

    Thank you for your kind words. It was a pleasure to publish this tribute to those who serve and have given so much.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  27. Wow, outstanding Karen! So happy I came back today to find this little gem! I love poetry honoring our Veterans! Blessings for a lovely holiday, Connie

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