All of them, like brilliant dominoes, lined up in perfect rows
Columns of names carved in stone, these markers of soldiers standing tall
Who died far from home and rest in Lorraine’s American cemetery
It’s maintained by the French, though the land was given to the U.S.
So when you’re here, you’re standing on American soil
Which is appropriate since these men died to take back France from Nazi rule
10,489 men rest here, their names, rank, home state, and date of death observed
Except for 444 missing in action, their fate never known
Their bodies somewhere separated from their brothers buried here
But equally as moving are those bare headstones
Marking bodies they watch over of men unknown
Never identified but honored just the same
I pause before as many of the graves as time allows
Whisper “Aloha,” the name and home state
“Mahalo for your service” and “Peace be with you”
And when I come to the headstone of an unknown soldier
I touch his marble marker to feel the mana it holds
Thank him for his service and wish him peace as well
Lanning Lee 