So Many

How do you say thank you
to those who died, those
who returned with visible
wounds and those who
carried unseen wounds?
How do you avoid platitudes?
Maybe I want to say that
there are only a few just wars,
but you were sent anyway--
to the just and the unjust wars
I'm sorry that many of you
carry the bruises of war, I'm
sorry that you had to face
the people on the other side
I want to assure today's children
that we will reach a place where
the other side is only
in history books.
But today we remember
those who faced the other side
and we give thanks
 for their service