Though I don’t know your name

And I have never seen your face

I shed tears for you.

Though my memories

don’t contain a time

We shared together

I miss you.

Though we are not related

You are in my thoughts.

When I’m eating,

or taking a shower,

or doing housework,

I think of you, knowing how much

you wish you could be at home,

Your stomach full,

doing mundane chores,

such as cleaning your house,

Clean from a fresh shower.

Though you are at terrible risk,

and perhaps may not survive,

You are NEVER ALONE,

and will always be alive

If only in our spirits,

hopes and memories,

our dreams for your future.

There are MILLIONS of people

praying for you tonight

And throughout the day.

Praying for your safety and return

as a whole person

In mind, body and spirit.

We are crying because we know.

We know you are scared,

and lonely.

And that you’d give anything

to see your family,

to hug your mother, father.

Your child, sister,

brother, aunt, uncle.

To be showered

with love and comfort,

Instead of sand and shrapnel.

We long for you too,

with an ache so desperate

as to make us insane.

To touch your face,

see your smile;

share your laughter

and your tears.

We love you so much

soldiers,

you cannot know.

You cannot fathom

the swelling of pride in our chest

as we think of you.

Of your courage

and your sacrifice,

the hope that you

can come home soon.

And those that have returned,

we have not forgotten you;

you are in our prayers,

That you may recover

from your experience

and be healed.

No matter

what anyone says,

no matter the reason

you are there,

You are a

UNITED STATES SOLDIER,

and you make us PROUD!!

Every day for that beautiful flag,

for our great fortune

to be Americans.

There are no politics,

no scandals,

no mistakes, NOTHING,

which can diminish

the sentiment

we have for you.

And even as democracy

permits free speech,

as it should,

which some may use

to make judgments

or cast aspersions,

Remember always,

we know

you’d rather be on the couch

debating it with us than spending your days

trying just to stay alive.

Let no “freedom of speech’

EVER make you doubt

the American people’s faith

in and love for you.

We are PROUD!

I’ve never met you,

but I want you to know

that I love you.

I’m praying for you.

I honor you.

I’m waiting for your return.

On this Memorial Day, 2017,

and every day,

Please know

that you are being thought of.

WE MISS YOU.

GOD BLESS YOU

and keep you

until the day

we can celebrate face to face.