Veterans Day, 2013

And in the nights of winter, 

When the cold north-winds blow, 

And the long howling of the wolves 

Is heard amidst the snow; 

When round the lonely cottage

Roars loud the tempest’s din, 

And the good logs of Algidus 

Roar louder yet within; 

When the oldest cask is opened, 

And the largest lamp is lit;

When the chestnuts glow in the embers, 

And the kid turns on the spit; 

When young and old in circle 

Around the firebrands close; 

When the girls are weaving baskets,

And the lads are shaping bows; 

When the goodman mends his armor, 

And trims his helmet’s plume; 

When the goodwife’s shuttle merrily 

Goes flashing through the loom;

With weeping and with laughter 

Still is the story told, 

How well Horatius kept the bridge 

In the brave days of old.

My everlasting thanks to all of you who have held the bridge, stood between those of us at home and anarchy. 

God bless you all.

Remembering Robert R. Bane, USN, who served in the Pacific, WW2...and the flag was still there...