CPL JAMES HAYWARD ARNAL

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CPL JAMES HAYWARD ARNAL It's the time I fear without you now a full year How hard we did fall especially on the holidays I recall Just when I think I'm at my wits ends I get a visit from your buddies, your friends They don't realize for me they bring you home It's with their love I write this poem A far away land a country you chose to defend Family, friends and strangers mourn their best friend We will always remember that I know For all our heroes now and not so long ago I cherish your special smile And all is well for awhile Everything's changed yet oddly the same I wish there was someone I could blame Over and over in my mind's eye I see you in pain and then die I'd die for you if I could In our pain I search for the good Then with memories I must force You smile and say, Of course my horse! You're alive in pictures now that you're gone Arms held high tell me, Rock on! At heaven's gate again we will meet And you'll be there for me and simply say, Sweet! But until that day Carpe Diem will help me find my way You can rest when you die Always up for the challenge kinda guy You always said it was your fate Rest in peace my Jim ... our hero #88! Love you always, Mom and Andrew A year ago today, when God decided to take you to his side, he also took away a piece of my heart which will never be replaced. Although a year has passed and we try to carry on a normal life, there isn't a day that goes by, when I don't stare at your picture and yearn to see that infamous smirk again, and to be able to share more adventures with you. We miss you Jim. Rest in peace Son, Love, Dad, Betty and Sarah

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 18, 2009