Gen. Patton, an 11-yr old boy and Patriotism

nandoaqui · September 11, 2002, 09:11 AM

(Several months ago I posted the following in another web site. I would like to share it with you all here.)

One of my two sons (a Black Hawk pilot) is stationed in Germany with his family. They travel frequently, and have visited the military cemetery in Luxembourg several times. My grandson Kyle wrote the following:
===========================================
The Luxembourg National Cemetery and Memorial
By Kyle
Written March 15, 2002

A sunny day.
A beautiful day.
The wind blowing steadily.
Hearts racing.
Two pillars.
Each with thousands of names.
Two flags.
Each red, white and blue.
Both waving the same way.
Beyond the flags....over a thousand graves.
One lone grave standing in front of an Army.
As if leading this Army to the battle.

I walk down the steps, around the flags and toward the grave.
Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.
1885-1945
It is not the only grave.
Many others had died.

It was beautiful in a sad way.
This is how we honor those who died for their country.
Many books have been written, few dedicated.
If they are dedicated, it is usually to one soul.

This poem is dedicated to all those who fought the battle strong in all wars.
To others the Army means nothing.
To me, it means honor.
Some see this and think...How? Why?
I hope that this is a poem to teach those that think nothing of the Army to think twice.

Red for courage,
Blue for loyalty,
White for purity.

========================================
What Kyle wrote probably sounds better to me because he is my grandson. But if an 11-yr old can open his eyes (and his heart) and see the true meaning of patriotism, then why, as Kyle points out, is it so difficult for (some) others to do the same?
Alex

BigG · September 11, 2002, 10:06 AM

That is very moving. Thank you!

Bob G. · September 11, 2002, 03:51 PM

Well said!! Thank you sir!
Bob

**4V50 Gary** · September 11, 2002, 05:39 PM

I've been to that cemetary. My Luxembourg guide insisted that I visit it and I'm glad I did and it gave me an opportunity to pay my respects to our fallen.

nandoaqui · September 12, 2002, 12:33 PM

Gary,
My wife and I were there with 'the kids' (son, daughter-in-law and grandkids) about three weeks or so after 09/11/01**. And yes, the cemetery in Luxembourg is a moving experience.

It was then that I learned that Kyle, who was just 10 at the time, had developed a keen interest in military history and was gathering and learning a lot about WWII in particular.

** By the way, the 'guest' book that visitors sign at the cemetery was replete with 'I love America', 'America we love you', 'God bless America', etc. in German, French, Italian, and so on. It was really moving. I just wish those sentiments were more widely spread more of the time throughout Europe.

Alex

September 11, 2002, 09:11 AM	#1
nandoaqui Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2002 Location: midwest Posts: 113	Gen. Patton, an 11-yr old boy and Patriotism (Several months ago I posted the following in another web site. I would like to share it with you all here.) One of my two sons (a Black Hawk pilot) is stationed in Germany with his family. They travel frequently, and have visited the military cemetery in Luxembourg several times. My grandson Kyle wrote the following: =========================================== The Luxembourg National Cemetery and Memorial By Kyle Written March 15, 2002 A sunny day. A beautiful day. The wind blowing steadily. Hearts racing. Two pillars. Each with thousands of names. Two flags. Each red, white and blue. Both waving the same way. Beyond the flags....over a thousand graves. One lone grave standing in front of an Army. As if leading this Army to the battle. I walk down the steps, around the flags and toward the grave. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. 1885-1945 It is not the only grave. Many others had died. It was beautiful in a sad way. This is how we honor those who died for their country. Many books have been written, few dedicated. If they are dedicated, it is usually to one soul. This poem is dedicated to all those who fought the battle strong in all wars. To others the Army means nothing. To me, it means honor. Some see this and think...How? Why? I hope that this is a poem to teach those that think nothing of the Army to think twice. Red for courage, Blue for loyalty, White for purity. ======================================== What Kyle wrote probably sounds better to me because he is my grandson. But if an 11-yr old can open his eyes (and his heart) and see the true meaning of patriotism, then why, as Kyle points out, is it so difficult for (some) others to do the same? Alex

September 11, 2002, 10:06 AM	#2
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,255	That is very moving. Thank you! __________________ o "The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." Assyrian tablet, c. 2800 BC o "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain o "They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?" Paul Harvey o TODAY WE CARVE OUT OUR OWN OMENS! Leonidas, Thermopylae, 480 BC

September 11, 2002, 05:39 PM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: California Posts: 13,263	Thank you. I've been to that cemetary. My Luxembourg guide insisted that I visit it and I'm glad I did and it gave me an opportunity to pay my respects to our fallen. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

September 11, 2002, 03:51 PM	#3
Bob G. Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2002 Posts: 143	Well said!! Thank you sir! Bob

September 12, 2002, 12:33 PM	#5
nandoaqui Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2002 Location: midwest Posts: 113	Gary, My wife and I were there with 'the kids' (son, daughter-in-law and grandkids) about three weeks or so after 09/11/01. And yes, the cemetery in Luxembourg is a moving experience. It was then that I learned that Kyle, who was just 10 at the time, had developed a keen interest in military history and was gathering and learning a lot about WWII in particular. By the way, the 'guest' book that visitors sign at the cemetery was replete with 'I love America', 'America we love you', 'God bless America', etc. in German, French, Italian, and so on. It was really moving. I just wish those sentiments were more widely spread more of the time throughout Europe. Alex