Soldiers have been in the news a lot this week. Memorial Day isMonday, and the new movie “Pearl Harbor” opens in theaters acrossthe country today.

An Associated Press story this week caught my attention. Thearticle offered some details about the new D-Day Memorial, whichwill be dedicated on June 6, the 57th anniversary of the Normandyinvasion, in Bedford, Va.

Bedford was selected because it is believed to have suffered thehighest per capita loss of soldiers during World War II.

According to the story, “in the 1940s, Bedford was a farmingtown of about 3,200 people. The generation of young men who wouldgo to war attended the same churches and schools. There were fewjobs, so many joined the 116th (Virginia National Guard), whichpaid about $35 every two months.

“In 1941, the Guard unit was shipped off to England. It was theonly National Guard unit to be on the first boats of the Normandyinvasion.”

In the opening moments of the invasion, 19 of Bedford’s sons,fathers and brothers were killed. Within a week, 23 of Bedford’s 35soldiers were dead.

Can you imagine that?

The story, which tells how the town is finally coming to gripswith the tragedy, will be published in its entirety in Monday’snewspaper.

Ron Rogers of Brookhaven brought in a poem this week, askingthat it be published on Memorial Day. But, I’m reprinting it today.Please read it, and please pause Monday to remember the manysoldiers who’ve given their lives to preserve our manyfreedoms.

IN REMEMBRANCE

OF A FALLEN SOLDIER

In World War II, he whispered,

I was wounded by a blast.

As he began his story,

Reminiscing of his past.

I was just a boy back then,

I lied about my age,

To get into the army

And fight for the USA.

I love this country very much,

It’s still the very best,

And I would fight to keep it free

And safe from foreign pest.

We won that war, and I came home,

My wounds had healed enough

To re-enlist with other men,

The army made us tough.

Then a little flare up

In Korea called us out.

A threat against our freedom,

Spreading fear without a doubt.

There I caught a bullet

When I tried to save a friend.

Another wound for Uncle Sam,

They sent me home to mend.

Soldier, have you had enough?

My sergeant said to me.

Or, do you want another tour,

If ever there’s to be?

We would train and fight again,

If ever it need be,

Because we loved America,

We’ll fight to keep it free.

It didn’t take too long

Before we boys were off again.

We were shipped off to a war,

We thought would never end.

I didn’t understand it much,

If it was wrong or right.

But I was a U.S. soldier,

And my country said, “Go fight.”

I never questioned orders,

That were sent from up above.

I did it for America,

The country that I love.

I fought to keep my country safe,

Again, in Vietnam.

Then, wounded I came home,

A victim of napalm.

My fighting days were over now,

And, I had given all.

But, some had given more than me,

Their names are on a wall.

I am now well up in years,

A soldier old and worn.

I could only sit and pray,

As I watched Desert Storm.

So proud of our boys over there,

Who stand for what is right.

Freedom is the battle cry,

The reason why they fight.

Young soldiers fight for liberty,

Protecting freedom’s bliss.

Old soldiers dream of bygone days,

While fighting loneliness.

We were heroes in our day,

He said, and then he sighed.

Forgotten in some V.A. home,

And all my friends have died.

I never asked for anything,

Just wanted to live free.

But, if you write this story,

There are many more like me.

Who fought to keep our country,

Safe and free from every foe.

Only to come home again,

And have no place to go.

Sadly, when the limelight fails,

Heroes fade away.

Some men fight their silent battles,

Til their dying day.

Please remember what it took,

And what we had to pay,

And join with us remembering,

On this Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is special,

It is not just summer’s start,

The reason that we have this day,

Should be etched upon your heart.

Lives were lost, young men died,

To keep this country free.

So take a moment of this day,

To meditate with me.

Remember all those valiant men,

And women who fought for

The lifestyle that you now enjoy,

Because they went to war.

— Author Unknown

Write to Nanette Laster at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven,Miss. 39602, send faxes to 833-6714, or e-mail tonews@dailyleader.com. She’d love to hear from you.