This is my salute to veterans. This year, I want to especially honor our Native American veterans—some of them my family.
Last Muster
As sunlight flooded his cabin,
Thomas donned his blue uniform,
Put on his spit-shined boots,
And donned his kepi of blue.
He shuffled to the porch,
His son had heeded his words,
Old Glory flapped in the breeze,
He stood at attention and saluted.
Louis saluted him back,
He’d been at Bull Run,
He’d held like a mighty rock,
Even as soldiers around him fled.
James stood at attention,
He’d fought at Antietam,
He’d borne the Stars and Stripes,
Midst a torrent of Minnie balls.
William bowed and prayed,
He’d shone at Gettysburg,
He’d led a final charge,
Through smoke and hell and death.
Thomas sat in a chair and wept,
As he shut his eyes,
His last breath departed.
Old Glory went limp.
Charles Suddeth 111121
C. T. Suddeth 
Leave a Reply