Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
8:41 am Monday, May 28, 2001

To My Father:

By Staff
Barely a man, he went off to war,
Finishing his first tour, enlisting for more.
He saw people suffering, living in hell,
Keeping these secrets, never to tell.
He was trained to fight, learned to kill,
Surviving on instinct and determined will.
Finally at home, what would he see,
Not the great country, the land of the free.
But people with stones, contempt and shame,
Leaving these brave soldiers to carry the blame.
Many years later and a long time ago,
He still remembers the fire, the amber glow.
Passing through life and keeping it all in,
Trying to forget what happened, where he had been.
This young boy, now a man,
Once fought for his country, for this great land.
But his worst fight has yet to begin,
To let go of the sorrow, the pain from within.
He lives without the Lord, our Father above,
For he believes he is unworthy of His wonderful love.
This young boy, now a man,
Is ashamed of his deeds, in the name of this land.
But how can I get him to finally see,
That the war will be over, in heaven with Thee.
I love you, dad.
Denise

Also on Franklin County Times
2 Bear Creek areas under fish advisories
A: Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Bernie Delinski For the FCY 
June 24, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The 2026 Alabama Fish Consumption Advisories recommends not consuming largemouth bass taken from two areas of Franklin County due to me...
$2.85M contract OK’d for new library
A: Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
June 24, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Construction of a new public library moved a step closer to reality last week as the city council approved a $2.85 million construction...
D-1 Commissioner Baker ready to make an impact
A: Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Brady Petree 
June 24, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — When Curtis Baker is sworn in as Franklin County District 1 commissioner in November, he plans to hit the ground running on day one. Af...
Roommate facing manslaughter charge
News, Russellville
Griffin Traylor 
June 19, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A Phil Campbell woman is facing manslaughter and drug charges after she admitted to Franklin County Sheriff’s investigators she injecte...
Baker unseats Murray for Franklin Co. District 1 seat
Franklin County, News, Z - News Main
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
June 17, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — District 1 residents in Franklin County will have a new commissioner in November after Curtis Baker defeated incumbent Grayson Murray i...
Attempted murder is added to shooting charges
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
June 17, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A Tuscumbia man now faces an attempted murder charge in addition to the 23 other criminal charges he faces after admitting to shooting ...
County receives $5K for 250th events
Main, News, Russellville
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
June 17, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County will receive $5,000 in funding for events related to celebrating America’s 250th birthday. The Alabama USA Semiquincent...
New sign honors Keeton’s community service
Main, News, Red Bay, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
June 17, 2026
RED BAY — The quarter- mile Hoyt Keeton Walking Trail now has a new sign. Keeton family members, city officials and community supporters recently gath...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *