I belong to the Military Writers Society of America. We will be holding our annual conference here in Orlando on October 10. As part of that conference, we will be holding a writing contest. Writers in our group submitted entries several months ago and a panel of judges selected the top eight entries for our first annual People’s Choice Award.
We would like to extended participation all around the globe and would be honored if all of op-for’s readers and their friends and families participated in the voting.
It’s easy to vote. Simply go to our website, http://www.militarywriters.com/2009ConferencePeoplesChoice.html download and read the entries and place your vote. All the votes will be tabulated and I will announce the winner on talkingwithheroes at http://www.talkingwithheroes.com/ on Saturday evening on 10 October.
Please join our conference by voting and getting the word out to as many of your friends as possible.
For the next eight days, I will be posting a different one of the eight finalists’ entries each night.
Here is the first. It is one of my favorites.
Inspired by IWO – photo by Richard Lowry
Flag from a Grateful Nation by John Cathcart
Piercing white sun, on a majestic hill.
Was it hot, or was it cold?
Silent sentinels guard the graceful slope.
One spot on the hill has been opened, ready to accept a new tenant.
Proud and Erect.
Apart from the crowd I stand.
Damn the wind! Damn the sun!
They know the truth, and assault my eyes with it.
Proud and Erect.
Over and over, the words are repeated, as the trees sway and the flags gently ripple.
In the distance, slow salutes and disciplined, well-practiced movements bring him close.
Did the birds stop singing?
Despite the preparation, the crack of the rifles makes all jump.
The sound enters like a spike into every bone of every body.
The straight arrow flight thunders overhead… one missing.
Proud and Erect.
Finally I have it, the neatly folded triangle.
All blue and white—the red forever hidden inside.
I can wait no longer; this must be done.
Her eyes are strong.
Then, the dreadful words come out:
“This flag is offered by a grateful nation in memory of the faithful service of your husband.”
A tear runs gently down her cheek.
Her eyes are still strong.
Proud and Erect.
Slow salutes and disciplined, well-practiced movements lower him.
The distant, mournful echoes of Taps accompany him on his final trip.
Proud and Erect.
Good-bye Jim!
To vote for John Cathcart:
Send email to MWSAPCA6 at gmail.com OR go to the MWSA website to read all the entries and vote.
