Sgt. 1st Class Brent A. Adams

A name is called,
a single bell tolled,
reminding us of one
young, unproven life
laid down for the freedoms
we have come to view as an entitlement.

What of that one life's entitlement‹
to a long life, filled with love,
to children and homestead,
to meaningful work and deep faith,
to reach an age that encourages reflection on a life well-lived.

Can we honor this young soldier enough?
Can we ever make sense of this loss?

Amanda J. Smith