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
State rankings | Red Bay rises, hits first poll since 2020
High School Sports, Red Bay Tigers, Sports
By A. Stacy Long For the FCT 
October 29, 2025
Red Bay has pulled into the state rankings for the first time in five years. The Tigers are 10th in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association Clas...
Principals honored by city’s school board
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
October 29, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — The City Schools Board of Education recognized the system’s principals during its Oct. 21 meeting. Superintendent Dr. Tim Guinn describ...
Rickman: ‘I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore’
Main, News, Z - News Main
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
October 29, 2025
TUSCUMBIA — When Carrie Rickman felt something unusual during a routine self-check in June 2018, she trusted her instincts. “I was just taking a showe...
Cultura Garden Club hosts district meeting
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
October 29, 2025
The Cultura Garden Club hosted the Garden Clubs of Alabama District 1 meeting at North Highlands Church of Christ. The theme of the meeting was “Roots...
Medicare Advantage helps preserve choice for seniors
Columnists, Opinion
October 29, 2025
In every corner of Alabama, one concern comes up repeatedly with family health care. Seniors worry about keeping it affordable. People with disabiliti...
Honoring his mother on Día de los Muertos
News, Russellville
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
October 29, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — When José Figueroa-Cifuentes lights a candle, he’s not just illuminating a wick — he’s keeping his mother’s legacy alive. A signature l...
Students respond to lure of competitive fishing
Belgreen Bulldogs, Phil Campbell Bobcats, Red Bay Tigers, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
October 29, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — A new countywide fishing team is giving more Franklin County students the chance to cast a line and compete. The Franklin County Angler...
UNA can’t figure out how to win on the road
Sports
David Glovach For the FCT 
October 29, 2025
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — The setting was different — the town, the stadium, the opposing team. The scene facing North Alabama, however, was the same leavi...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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