DEL “ABE” JONES

FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FREEDOM
(Thanksgiving Eve 2001)

This year is more important
Than any, we have known
To, appreciate those lessons
We, sadly, have been shown.

In one day, we have learned
that, "this land of the free"
Has been changed forever
From what, it used to be.

We've taken it for granted
Free, from the strife of war
Fought, in some foreign land
Brought to, our home shore.

This battle must be waged
Each, and every day
If we hope, to preserve
"The American Way".

We must stand together
And make the decision
To end all of those things
That can bring, division.

Family, friends and freedom
Must go hand in hand
With tolerance for those
We may not understand.

Selfish greed and violence
And the "world corporation"
Will surely, be the downfall
Of, the worlds' greatest Nation.

9/11 was the day
We got, our wake-up call
And we must, do our part
"All for one, and one for all".

THANKS for being born here
(Or, coming here to live)
We must do all we can
GIVING, all we can give.

Thanksgiving Day, 2001
Of history's turning page
Is the first day of the war
For Peace, that we must wage.

Those "STARS AND STRIPES" gained new meaning
In the year two thousand and one
It flew prouder over our Country
Where a new war had begun.

On September eleventh
"They" tried to bring it down
Along with those "Two Towers"
That came crashing to the ground.

But, the American people caught it
And held it high for all to see
This is still, "THE HOME OF THE BRAVE"
And, "THE LAND OF THE FREE".

Those people who do evil
Will shudder at the sight
As "OLD GLORY" catches them
In all it's power and might.

We might not always do justice
Under it's waving grace
But, it's meaning to Freedom
Will always stand it's place.

It's always been a symbol
And hope, for people in this world
It sends a very special message
Each time, it is unfurled.

The "STARS AND STRIPES" will wave
Those colors, "RED, WHITE, AND BLUE"
As long, as there are Freedom lovers
Or all life on Earth, is through.

On this day we remember
That "day of infamy"
And sadly we understand
More than we want to see.

A "sneak attack" on Freedom
And the American way
Brought back to reality
On Septembers' eleventh day.

Thousands died in forty-one
With so many not retrieved
Resting in their watery grave
O'er which friends and family grieved.

Now we have another place
Known to all, as "Ground Zero"
Where we have another bunch
Of, the American Hero.

Sixty years of times' passage
Hasn't changed the "Patriot"
Hasn't dampened our resolve
To remember, not, forget.

Those who gave their, "all"
And those, still yet, to "give"
Standing for, protecting
The kind of life, we live.

The casualties of war
Don't always bear a gun
But, they all are Heroes
When all is said and done.

Now, we have another one
Of those "infamous" days
With the horrible cost
That Freedom, often, pays.