For the wife, child of Marine James Stack

Nearly a half century ago another wife stood by a grave as the solemn honors of war were rendered for her husband, James. He was Staff Sgt. James Newton Matthews II, who died similarly serving the country he loved.

His great-uncle, Courtland Matthews, who was the son of his grand-nephew's namesake, sought to bring perspective to his own and that widow's grief in the same manner his own father had once reached out with poetry to the veterans, widows, and orphans of the Civil War.

After Taps

To your soldier who fell in Vietnamthe bugle has blown its last note of farewelland his dust has gone to mix with American dustfrom which it came.Think this, now, you who cherished him:The word that tore the fabric of your heartswill not be brought to you again,and time the weaver will do more than mendwill weave on looms of remembrancewebs of many colors for your keeping,each warmed with hues of loveand shining with a silver thread of pride.-- Courtland Wade MatthewsCourtland, a well-regarded, Oregonian poet in his own right, was the son of the beloved country doctor of Mason, IL, #8220;The Poet of the Prairies,#8221; James Newton Matthews (1852#8211;1910).

If mere words can bring solace and begin healing, perhaps an uncle's tribute may carry forward across time the gratitude and sorrow of your James's countrymen. May God bless you and your daughter.

Timothy Taylor

Mount Prospect