As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,

We became one color.

As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building

We became one class.

As we lit the candles of waiting and hope,

We became one generation.

As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno,

We became one gender.

As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength,

We became one faith.

As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,

We spoke one language.

As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,

We became one body.

As we mourned together the great loss,

We became one family.

As we cried tears of grief and loss,

We became one soul.

As we retell with pride the sacrifice of heroes,

We became one people.

As we memorialize those of 9-11 we of the VFW and our Ladies Auxiliary

Remember our POWs-MIAs of all wars.

We become one organization.

We are

One color

One class

One generation

One gender

One faith

One language

One body

One family

One soul

One people

One organization

We are the power of One

We are United

We are Americans

God Bless America

(This poem is property of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the

United States. It was submitted by the VFW Adolph Block Post 1305

and is being printed with permission.)