They Died As Men

I just wrote this last night after I watched "A Day In June" and "Hills Are For Heroes" on video. I was so touched that I wrote down what I felt as I viewed these shows. This poem is what Jo D. would call a "brain dump" meaning it came straight from my head to the paper, with little revision or concentration. Give me some feedback if you have any comments.

It was in Normandy of 1944:
He was Courage and he was Hope on a distant shore.
Sent there by a country that he loved through all his tender years.
Just a young American choosing to rise above his fears.
As I watched him bleeding on that shore,
Without one thought of giving in,
My soul was filled with love once more
For those who lived as boys, but died as men.

In an unknown part of France of 1944:
He was weary and longing for an end to the war.
Reading letters sent by a mother with love beyond her tears.
Another frightened American choosing to defy his fears.
And as I watched him struggle up that hill,
Without one thought of turning back,
My heart began to pound, my thoughts stood still!
Though the images were old, faded white and black,
Their beautiful resolve and unflinching will
Shall always fill my head.
Their agonizing screams drown out all other noise
As I lay awake at night in my bed.
Whenever I am alone my thoughts drift again
To those who lived as boys
But died as men.