War. Freedom. Cost.

Unknown faces with empty hearts and dead souls,

Attacked us like cowards hoping to numb our nation,

Innocent people were lost to those lusting to destroy,

As our structures fell shock and terror took hold,

While the smoke settled our anger thrived

We came together to heal and rebuild what was taken,

Men & women, young & old, religious & political all stood together,

We reminded the world of our strength,

No longer were the free terrorized by cowards,

Forgiveness was a stranger but not anger

Silently families cried as their members enlisted,

Educated, trained, and deployed they served loyally,

In the face of hate, they trusted in their orders and each other,

Countless brave and honorable lives paid for our safety,

Families of the fallen pay a higher cost for freedom

Caught off guard and shook to our core,

Liberty was fought for and justice prevailed,

As a whole we paid the price and we will again,

Cost of living went up but only a few noticed,

Freedom is expensive paying in lives