In Memoriam

of Americans—  
not just 5-star generals    
or Navy Admirals;  
or, the hoards  
of other white soldiers  
like my father 
and his before;
and, his before;
     
but,

Code Talkers    
persecuted      
isolated      
outcasts      
unsung warriors—    
their tongue confined    
to reservations;      
     
Buffalo Soldiers    
alienated      
shunned      
rejected      
obscure chevaliers—    
pushed to the back    
of the bus once home;    
     
Manilamen    
mocked      
scorned      
snubbed      
forgotten paladin—    
laboring in fields      
of produce and flowers;    
     
Wetbacks    
spurned    
abhorred    
ignored    
forsaken paragon—    
harvesting crops      
for another's profit      
     
Your sacrificial contribution  
to ensure my freedom    
will never be forgotten  
nor taken for granted  
~