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It Is The Soldier
It Is The Soldier not the reporter,
who has given US Freedom of the press

It Is The Soldier not the poet,
who has given US Freedom of speech

It Is The Soldier not the campus organizer, 
who has given US the Freedom to demonstrate

It Is The Soldier not the lawyer, 
who has given US the right to a fair trial

It is the soldier, who saluted the Flag,
who serves beneath the Flag
and whose coffin is draped by the Flag,
who allows the protester to burn the Flag


 
Sid note:

You will find on the internet that there are claims of two different authors of this poem:

Some attribute it to the late Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC - a  Guadalcanal Veteran of WWII, 11th Marines, and the Chaplain for the 1st Marine Division Association.

Others assign authorship to Charles Michael Province, U.S. Army.

So who is the real author?

Hell, I don't know... but that doesn't take away from the truth of the poem's words.

In the grand scheme of things - does it really matter?   Myself --- I'd give them both credit and let it go at that.

However, if you are so inclined, do your own research on the matter.   The two links I provided above are what I found. I'm sure there is much more out there.

Happy clicking.....................