The Brave ~chaplainscott.com Inspiration With An Attitude!

Dedicated:
~ To All US Veterans whom have given their lives;
To The Ones Who Sacrificed limbs and sight;
To Those Missing in Action and Prisoners of War;
To Retired Service Personnel; And To The Ones
Presently Serving For Our US Military's Might.

On A Rock In Rural Iowa

"THE BRAVE"
(~A True Story, by Chaplain Scott)

"Excuse me sir.
Can you lead me in my way?",
a man with dark glasses asked,
on America's Independence Day.

It then occurred to me
that he was a Veteran
who had lost his sight
in an overseas fight.

I saw his military medal,
just like my dad's, you see.
I knew his story well,
how he served overseas.

My heart began to swell.
Someone who led the way
so that I might be free
now looked to me to lead
because he could not see!

We talked as we walked
admit a rowdy crowd
who gave us sour stares
but I was not too proud
to have his arm on mine.

He swayed to the right
but said, "I'm alright.
It's just a pain in my side
from a damned ol' mine."

My eyes began to tear
as his grip lessoned.
The crowd began to cheer.
They were having fun.

We were soon at the spot
he wanted to be, stopping me;
because he loved the smell
of hot dogs in the air.

A teen pushed the Vet aside
with a hard shove to his side.
He was in a hurry to get by
to catch up with his friends.

I grabbed the hurried teen
in a grip that was strong!
I pulled him close to me,
knowing he was wrong!

He apoligized, saying to my friend,
"Sir, I didn't know you were blind.
The fireworks were just beginning,
and I was trying to make double time!"

The elderly Veteran smiled
at those youthful words spoken.
It had surely been a while
since his last double time run!

The teen questioned
the brave old Veteran,
and from his reply
it gave new perspective
to the 4th of July.

More apologies were given
and the teen went on his way.
We saw him later with his friends,
and all but he had this to say:

"Ha, look at that man who's blind!"
-"And the bearded one leading him!"
But the teen shouted back at them,
"SHUT-UP! THEY'RE FRIENDS OF MINE!"

And as the fireworks burst in midair
in streams of red, white and blue glares;
the teen knew beyond all doubt
why our flag is still there!

Oh say why does
that star spangled banner
yet wave?

It's because of those who
paid the sacrificial wage!
For freedom truly isn't free
in the home of THE BRAVE!

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