Fields of Stone

Reflections at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
Tom Reilly, Sgt. US Army, Vietnam 1969-70

Rolling hills, sacred space carved by God’s hand
High ground, a fitting journey’s end for soldiers,
Spills life into the flowing Mississippi below.
A tree here, a bench there, a flag playing in the wind
The smell of early, fresh-cut grass watered by tears
Silence is the loudest sound here
Loud words taste bitter in this solemn place
The touch of a soft and steady breeze
God’s sweet breath, a reminder—He is always here.
Streets with heroes’ names run like veins through these hills
They guide the parade of mourners to the stones.

Stones cut from God’s earth and carved by man
Sun-bleached, stained by time, standing tall—like
Silent sentinels guarding the brave that rest below.
Dressed and covered in death as in life
Some 200,000 strong this army of stone.
Stones that know the names over whom they watch—
Otto, Gary, Bobby, Howard, George, Willie
Uncle, father, son, brother, grandpa
Private Combs, Sergeant White, Lt. Scott, Capt. Gillis.
Stones that tell the story of the heroes in their shadows
Purple hearts, bronze stars, a Medal of Honor.
They came from distant places to rest here—
Gettysburg, Argonne Forest, Normandy, Pusan, Khe Sanh, Falluja
So many wars, so many stones.
Here lie dreams of what might have been—
A sweetheart sleeps, a father who never saw his child,
A book never written, a song never sung.

To these fields of stone loved ones come to grieve
They tag the stones—Gone too soon, Gentle giant, See you soon, BFF
For all that rest here, “Job well done.”
The things they leave behind, tokens of love, memories for the living—
Flowers, golf balls, family pictures, Holy cards, a pin wheel spinning in the breeze.
I want to leave but can’t.
I want to stay longer, grieve, and pray once more for their souls.
I must thank God again, for by His grace, I’ve yet to claim my stone.

By Tom Reilly, Sergeant US Army, Vietnam 1969-70
author of Hope in The Shadows of War

#poetryofwarseries

Author: Tom

Business owner, professional speaker, author, and salesman . . . Since 1981, Tom has traveled globally sharing his content-rich message of hope. Tom literally wrote the book on Value-Added Selling. Tom has a B.A. in Psychology from St. Louis University and an M.A. in Psychology from University of Missouri in St. Louis with a special emphasis in work motivation theory. He spent four years in the United States Army where he honed his leadership skills as a Drill Sergeant. Tom is a prolific writer and researcher. He is a recipient of the Northeast Business Editors Silver Award; author of fifteen books; and editorial contributor to several magazines. Tom is an avid golfer, Harley-Davidson rider, and fountain pen collector. Please click here for Tom’s complete bio.

8 thoughts on “Fields of Stone

  1. Well done Tom, every time I’ve ever been to JB, you summed it all up here.

  2. Hi Tom, I’m currently at a reunion with 9 men that I had the honor of serving with in the 9th Infantry , I can’t tell you how powerful your Heartfelt poem is to my fellow RVN brothers, 9 men and their wives, with tears rolling like a river. Thank You for your words and video, Honoring the Brave at rest in “Fields of Stone”

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