Principles are yelled at the top of lungs
Spitting daggers of truth
Deflating the bubbles of lies
That shields the ignorant from reality
Integrity is a word lost in translation
Associated with others like accountability
It is now banished from the vocabulary
Webster has ripped that page from the seams
But there is still hope
The ink has bled onto the great American flag
Reminders of values that bind us together
Unfortunately there are those who believe
That the ink stained flag should be spot treated
Thrown into the wash cycle with high agitation
And left hung outside to dry
But when people drive by my house
They will see my flag proudly waving
Discolored by the blood of my brothers
And the tears I have cried for them
Forever a reminder of the sacrifices made
C.R. Ebowski
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/what-i-have-not-forgotten/