On February 9 2007 Sgt James J Regan of 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regt USA was killed on active service in Iraq.
The 2nd picture below was taken by war photographer John Moore some time after the funeral. It shows Sgt Regan's fiancee Mary at the grave of her lost love in the Arlington National Cemetery where he was buried with full military honours.
I was extremely moved by this picture and wrote the following as my own small tribute to them both.
It could never be enough.
A bitter cold abounded
Beneath a mourning cloud
A hallowed peace surrounded
As every head was bowed.
In Heaven’s dawn her treasure
A new light will impart
God only knows the measure
Of the wound within her heart.
The life that he departed
Without a last goodbye
Now leaves her broken-hearted
Soul to grieve and wonder why.
Behold the heart of Mary
And the sacrifice it gave;
For who can put a ransom
On her fallen Ranger’s grave?
Her love lies still and shrouded
In absence’ lonely light;
Her days forever clouded
And sorrow rules her night.
He gave his all for freedom
She loved him from the start
Her tears fall in the Kingdom
Of the hero of her heart.
