You'll have to forgive me...I don't recall the name of the author, but I do know he was killed in Action in Desert Storm the day after he penned this poem to his sister...

My Symbol

I had a dream near 3 AM
that crashed into my night
A multitude of warriors
standing in full sight
On their anguished faces
were grim and hateful glares
They wore Marine Corps blouses
yet all they did was stare
I saw the wounds of Belleau Wood
I saw the scars of Guam
The dead were there of Heartbreak Ridge
and a company from 'Nam
Then one spoke out and asked me
a question loud and strong
"Can they burn the flag we died for?
How can it not be wrong?"
I did not have an answer
to ease their angry pain
I could only give excuses
for a country gone insane...
"I saw the flag on Iwo
just before I died;
I saw that lead-pole lifted
where the flag was safely tied
"I know it's just a symbol
that flies about our graves,
but let it be a symbol of what these men and I gave."
With that the dream was over
and I awoke with fear and shame
to think a fool can trample
the flag that bears our name.

Semper Fi Marines... OORAH!!!

Thanks Scipio.

Good one.