Poetry offers a powerful way to articulate grief, remembrance, and profound respect for those who have served their country and are no longer with us. When we seek to commemorate the life and sacrifice of a veteran who has died, finding the right words can provide solace and a fitting tribute. This collection presents poignant poems for veterans who have died, reflecting on service, sacrifice, homecoming, and eternal rest.
Contents
These verses capture the depth of loss felt by families and a grateful nation, while also honoring the courage and dedication of those who answered the call to serve. They are suitable for use in memorial services, eulogies, or personal reflection, helping to keep the memory of our fallen heroes alive.
Remembering the Journey Home
For a soldier, the journey home is the deepest desire, but sometimes, that homecoming is not as anticipated. Poems reflecting on this final return resonate with the quiet gravity of ultimate sacrifice.
A Soldier Came Home Today
by Rev. Bob Leonard
Today a soldier came home
not marching down the street
to waves and cheers
but in a box covered
with a flag of Red, White and Blue
the flags are at half staff
And the people line the road home
with bowed heads
and tears in their eyes
For a soldier came home today
As the hearse came to its final stop
His brothers in olive green gathered round
They gently lifted that flag draped box
and then carried him, and gently put him down
Mother, Father and family followed in
with tears flowing down
There was a silence, that screamed with pain
for all knew a great loss
for a soldier came home today
Why did he have to die?
The question rings out
He was so full young and full of life
There was so much he had to offer,
And yet he went to fight for what
he felt was right
always knowing full well
that he might be asked to make
that supreme sacrifice.
He is home now and soon
He will lie with those other
Honoured dead in that hallowed ground
Called Arlington
A soldier has come home today.
This poem poignantly contrasts the anticipated triumphant return with the somber reality of a soldier’s final journey home in death. It speaks to the community’s grief, the family’s pain, and the heavy price of sacrifice, envisioning ultimate rest in sacred ground like Arlington.
Resting in Peace and Promise
Themes of eternal peace and the promise of resurrection offer comfort to those mourning veterans. These poems speak from a spiritual perspective, offering hope and reassurance that the fallen are in a better place, their service complete.
Fallen Heroes
by Joyce Atkinson
From the time I was conceived God had for me a plan
He wanted me to get involved to help my fellow man
I know some were against it but God knows what is best
Since the day He took me home I’ve had perfect rest
Heaven is so beautiful I’m walking streets of gold
Now I’m serving others including saints of old
I know some still have anger about the way I died
But God and I both have seen the many tears you’ve cried
He is a God of comfort whose love will never cease
Give your feelings to Him and He will give you peace
As difficult as it may be please don’t hold a grudge
Remember this my loved ones God alone will judge
Then on that resurrection day when all the dead will rise;
the Lord will reunite us together in the skies
So don’t give up my loved ones my memory is still alive
Put your trust in the Lord; I know you will survive!
This poem, written from the perspective of a fallen hero, provides a message of divine purpose and eternal peace. It encourages loved ones to find comfort in faith and the promise of reunion, framing the veteran’s death as a transition to perfect rest and continued service in heaven.
The Unforgotten Legacy
The memory of veterans and their sacrifice endures, shaping the nations they served. These poems focus on the lasting impact of their actions and the commitment of the living to remember their valor.
For The Fallen
by Robert Laurence Binyon
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
Silhouetted soldiers standing at sunset, representing remembrance and sacrifice for veterans who have died.
Binyon’s iconic poem, often recited at remembrance ceremonies, offers a timeless tribute to soldiers who died in service. It highlights their youth, courage, and unwavering commitment, culminating in the powerful promise: “They shall grow not old… We will remember them.” The poem assures that their memory remains vibrant, like stars in the night sky, forever connected to the heart of their homeland.
In Your Honour
Author Unknown
Unselfishly, you left your fathers and your mothers,
You left behind your sisters and your brothers.
Leaving your beloved children and wives,
You put on hold, your dreams-your lives.
On foreign soil, you found yourself planted
To fight for those whose freedom you granted.
Without your sacrifice, their cause would be lost
But you carried onward, no matter the cost.
Many horrors you had endured and seen.
Many faces had haunted your dreams.
You cheered as your enemies littered the ground;
You cried as your brothers fell all around.
When it was over, you all came back home,
Some were left with memories to face all alone;
Some found themselves in the company of friends
As their crosses cast shadows across the land.
Those who survived were forever scarred
Emotionally, physically, permanently marred.
Those who did not now sleep eternally
‘Neath the ground they had given their lives to keep free.
With a hand upon my heart, I feel
The pride and respect; my reverence is revealed
In the tears that now stream down my upturned face
As our flag waves above you, in her glory and grace.
Freedom was the gift that you unselfishly gave
Pain and death was the price that you ultimately paid.
Every day, I give my utmost admiration
To those who had fought to defend our nation.
This anonymous poem speaks directly to the sacrifice made by veterans, acknowledging the personal cost to them and their families. It paints a vivid picture of the hardships endured and the ultimate price paid by those who died, concluding with a heartfelt expression of gratitude and admiration from a grateful nation.
The Veteran’s Identity
Beyond their service, veterans carried the identity of a soldier within them always. These poems reflect on that inherent part of who they were, even in civilian life or in death.
Soldier
by George L. Skypeck
I was that which others did not want to be.
I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do.
I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness
should I fail.
I have seen the face of terror; felt the stinging cold of fear; and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment’s love.
I have cried, pained, and hoped
but most of all, I have lived times others would say were best forgotten.
At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was.
A soldier.
George L. Skypeck’s powerful first-person narrative embodies the unique perspective of a soldier. It speaks to the challenging path they chose, the inherent risks, the harsh realities faced, and the deep-seated pride in their identity as a soldier. This poem is a fitting tribute to the core spirit of a veteran.
Still A Soldier
by Timothy Emmons
I lay here today a soldier
I know some don’t understand
I will try to explain
So maybe you can
I served my country
For many a year
I retired long ago
The soldier still here
I put on my uniform
I wore it to foreign lands
The soldier I was
Is still in the man
I have been a husband, father, and friend
To some of you here
But I’ve been a soldier all along
Even after so many a year
My final salute
I render today
I’m still a soldier
I’m just on my way.
Timothy Emmons’ poem beautifully expresses the lasting impact of military service on a veteran’s identity. It conveys that even after retirement, the essence of being a soldier remains integral to their being. The final stanza serves as a poignant farewell, asserting that the soldier’s journey continues, even in death.
Finding Meaning in Sacrifice
When confronting the loss of a veteran, questions of ‘why’ are natural. Some poems grapple with the meaning behind the sacrifice, focusing on honor and belief.
Why
Author Unknown
Far above the storm clouds gathering
Far above that midnight sky
Looking out just past the rainbow
Where eagles dare not fly.
Out among the ashes
Of heroes long since past
I will take my place among them
When that final die is cast.
Let not your heart be troubled
That’s what I’ve always heard
But I stood for what I believed in
With these my final words.
For in this life but few things matter
In this short time that we have here
Leaving nothing behind but our honour
The thing we hold most dear.
This reflective poem considers the place of the fallen among past heroes, emphasizing the importance of conviction and honor. It suggests that a veteran’s ultimate sacrifice was rooted in deep belief, leaving behind a legacy of honor that transcends their brief time on Earth.
Conclusion
Choosing appropriate poems for veterans who have died allows us to express profound respect and sorrow while celebrating their dedication and sacrifice. These poems offer different perspectives – from the somber homecoming to the enduring legacy of honor. They provide comfort, prompt reflection, and ensure that the memory of those who served remains vivid and cherished. Through verse, we can keep their stories alive and honor the soldiers who gave their all.