As many of you may or may not know, I am a Knight of Columbus. I have acheived 3 of 4 degrees of knighthood, being a full-knight currently. I have been awarded the Shining Armor award as of Tuesday for exemplary service to the Order and next month I will quite possibly acheive a greater honor: the 4th degree of knighthood, earning the title of Sir Knight. I will also then be granted the honor to be permitted to wear the cape, chapeux, sash, and sword. I am very excited about this! To acheive all of this within the order after less than one year of membership was not easy, but it was all worth it. I hope everyone can acheive a dream at least once in their lives, it is a great adventure. God bless you all! I am going to sleep now….

This is a poem I wrote back in December for the mother of a young man who I went to school with. He was killed over Thanksgiving weekend in Iraq. I mailed it to her  shortly after Christmas. See what you all think.

“Son of Iowa”

Son of Iowa, soldier brave,
We commit you to your early grave,
Embraced by the soil for which you fought.
Asleep in the peace for which you sought.

Your courage brightened Iowa’s star
Upon our nation’s flag, that field of blue.
Your very life, given to lands afar,
Purchased a stripe of red, dyed anew.

You rode to heaven on angel’s wings,
To the beat of a million thundering drums.
Of you the chorus of Valhalla sings,
Welcoming you, the hero, to his home.

Forever shall Iowa remember you, along side
Our Heroes at Shiloh, the Sullivan Boys, and Merle Hay
For your sacrifice made so that we may abide
Unhindered and free, day after day.

Watch over us, dear soldier, your indebted ones:
Family, stranger, countryman, friend.
Give us the wisdom to lay down our guns
For the peace you fought for to the end.

So when we hear the corn whisper, smell the rain,
Walk in forests or barefoot on green grass,
Let us see you, remember you, so not in vain
Was your love for Iowa to your very last
Breath.