I've heard the words oft times before -
that "Freedom isn't Free".
But that was long before I knew
how they would impact me.
A baby boy I loved so much -
I watched him learn and grow.
He grew into a strong young man,
how brave - I did not know.
Little League and high school band,
the trumpet, movies, friends -
things he enjoyed as years went by -
I hoped it would not end.
But graduation time came near,
now he was nineteen.
"I'm old enough. I'm ready, Mom,
to become the best Marine!"
Then off to Boot Camp far away,
and with the Crucible done -
His Eagle, Globe and Anchor,
he had finally, proudly won.
Standing tall, his face a beam -
a new United States Marine!
I knew that there were dangers.
My fear I tried to hide,
but the sight of him in uniform
filled my heart with pride.
A clear September morning as I saw the buildings fall,
my brave son was list'ning for his Nation's urgent call.
The world had changed in minutes,
for now we were at war.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'm trained for this.
It's what Marines are for."
He left his home and traveled to a desert far away.
On quiet nights, I'd close my eyes
and I could almost hear him say -
"I love you, Mom, and miss you,
but there's a job I have to do.
As a Marine, now it's my turn
to be protecting you."
Sleepless nights of worry, anxiety and fears;
Praying for his safety and crying countless tears.
Afraid to even think the worst -
the knock upon the door -
Knowing that had happened to other Moms before.
Oh, God, then it happened - the worst did come to pass -
In dark of night, the knock did come
and through the front door's glass -
I see them there in coats of blue with
buttons of bright brass.
I could not hear the words they spoke,
I could only cry and scream -
"This can't be true, this isn't real.
Please tell me it's a dream!"
As minutes turned to hours
and the hours into days,
pain and sadness stretched ahead
in such a foggy haze.
I close my eyes and, once again,
I hear his gentle voice.
"I'm alright, Mom, and I'm still here.
You know it was my choice.
My friends were hurt, I had to try
to get them out of there.
It is the code of honor
that we Marines all share."
I know he had to do it -
He could not walk away.
I'm grateful for the courage
that he displayed that day.
The sorrow's deep inside me -
So much, it seems I've lost.
But he wants me to remember
that Freedom has a cost.
There is no greater gift, they say,
than to lay down one's life for friends.
I will keep his gift in memory
until my life here ends.
I love you, Son, and thank you,
for your special gift to me -
I will always know
That Freedom isn't Free!
By Janet Aston Norwood
Proud Gold Star Mother of
Sgt. Byron Wayne Norwood
KIA Fallujah, Iraq
November 13, 2004
He gave his life to defend Liberty at home and to give the gift of Liberty to the good people of Iraq. Byron, I love you and I will be forever proud and grateful for your sacrifice.
Always,
Oh, man - that poem, that hug - this woman and her family are the best our country has.
And the reason that so many of us have trouble reading our screens.
Mrs. Norwood's heartfelt tribute to her son is both genuine and beautiful. She speaks for all mothers who have lost a child. Lumps in the throat and tears accompanies any sentient person who reads this.
I don't cry easily, but that poem brought the tears. God bless that Mom.
Mrs. Norwood is a very special mom! My prayers and thanks to them both.
Oh my, that's worth a box of tissues. Such a family.
So, for all you deeply loving moms out there, please know that you matter so, SO much in this world. Perhaps only a child who has never had that love can fully know how immeasurably important it is.
I will never meet Mrs. Norwood, so will never be able to try to offer her comfort. But I can at least encourage all you moms to treasure your children, even on those days when they frustrate you, or worry you, or defy you. There is no substitute -- none, absolutely none -- no substitute for the unconditional love you give your children.
...tears....sigh....what courage this woman has!!!!.....btw...she said last night on H&C that she did not give her sons tags away...said, she could never do that....and I don't blame her.
I just printed the poem out for my husband (ex-military). Thanks for sharing it. How very moving. I saw her on H and C last night and she is a very impressive woman.
Wow.
WOW. What a tearjerker. That mom was sooooo brave to come to the SOTU. And the love and caring she showed the Iraqi woman; I hope she felt some sort of comfort that her son's death was not in vain.
I have so much in common with her.............but not the end of the story.....
Pray for these dear parents, and sisters and brothers and wives and husbands of our fallen soldiers.
I cannot imagine the grief that they feel.
I just read the poem by Mrs. Norwood. I skipped it before. G-d Bless Mrs. Norwood and May Byron rest in peace. And may we survivors be worthy of these men and women who have sacrificed for our freedom.
Aw geez, Mike, you forgot the multiple tissue alert!
The front of my shirt is soaked and I'm having trouble gulping for air. Wow! That's a heckuva poem.
Makes me proud to be an American, to know we raise them to be Marines, and then can turn them over to God, knowing that they've done their best, and given all, to keep you and me free.
I'll never be able to thank them enough.
Every Soldier, Airman, Coastie, Marine and Sailor I pass, I say "thank you for serving" and smile at them, to let them know I'm not just saying it, and that I mean it with every fiber of my being.
I haven't been cleared to return to Walter Reed, so I've had to take things and drop them off at the front desk, with the name and ward they are go to, but I sure hope to be able to return to shaking their hands again real soon, and thanking them in person for their service.