The Soldier
by Charles M. Province
It is the soldier, not the minister,
Who has given us the freedom of religion.
It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us the freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to protest,
It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.