Pfc. Christopher S. Adlesperger

They needed volunteers to hold the enemy back.
On a quiet, American morning you stepped into
The Gap.

And stood.

You stood when the night stretched
on too long.
You stood when the sun came
up too strong.
You stood when the sand
blew like hot coals right into your eyes.
You stood like a water wall,
holding back the fire.

And millions of fathers and mothers back home, get down on their knees
and give thanks to our Lord...

all
because you stood.

-Sara Pufahl