I saw this and it reminded me of all the military family I have lost. What are your thoughts on this simple poem?

SPC Charles Brown — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 00:22:29 -0400

This a sad statement that unfortunately is becoming more and more common. During the holidays my table is set with 2 empty chairs. 1 is for my father who served his country for 27 years in the Army. The second chair is for a friend whom I served with in Korea who never made it home, I watched him die right in front of me and I have felt responsible for his loss every day since. The next empty chair at my table will be for me, at least that is my hope. I have said it many times before, but I will say it again here. Peace is my dream, war is the reality. I pray that no more of my military family will die, but the reality is they will continue to lay their lives down in defense of this country.

Here is the poem:

Phantom faces at the window, phantom shadows on the floor. Empty chairs at empty tables where my friends will meet no more.

It is my hope that I will get to see and meet my lost family members on the other side in the last drop zone. God bless them and may they all rest in peace.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Apr 5 at 2014 2:00 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 02:00:13 -0400

That is a very strong poem CPL Brown. I applaud how you honor the fallen. All of us have loved and lost. You are not alone with those thoughts. You have a very strong and solemn way of memorializing your father and the friend that you have lost. Do not be in a hurry to be the "third empty chair." For if you are there, your way of honoring your father and your friend will be gone. Without knowing the circumstances of the death of your friend, I can only sympathize with how you feel. I will tell you this though, you are not alone when it comes to blaming yourself. I, and many others who have/are serving, feel that way about a friend or comrade we/they have lost. I have taken the time to talk to people about those feelings. I have shared a lot of things with a Chaplain friend of mine and also with a counselor whom, while I no longer see regularly, is always there when I need to talk, vent, share, or whatever...

If you need someone to talk to, let me know. You are not alone.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 5 at 2014 4:56 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 16:56:18 -0400

Beautiful.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2014 11:19 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 23:19:08 -0400

For whatever it is worth, I respect the hell out of this.