Toy Soldiers | Teaneck's Poet Laureate Scott Pleasants - Veterans Day 2026

let our duty be like that of a toy soldier

unbreakable

let our service be like that of a real solider

committed

let our dedication be like that of a young soldier

fixed in a position

and let our conscience be like that of a seasoned veteran

guided yet flexible

within a beating heart there is concern held behind the smile of a parent within the curiousness of a young son or daughter a purposeful experience evolves

toy soldiers and real soldiers do have many things in common

they can be held by our hand and form a lifelong bond

their stories can be shared passed through generations and they can be immortalized as coming of age memories

let our military veterans be respected within the innocence of our youth

and celebrated in our words and acts of gratitude

somewhere there is a small child playing with a toy soldier

a child who will grow up to serve this country with a resiliency that forever contains their innocence

to serve this country with a conscientious commitment that is unbendable

to serve this country with an appreciation that is fixed in a position

a reasonable rationale to protect and to honor the freedom and liberties that we enjoy

sitting on the shoulders of a commitment greater than themself positioned with purposeful intent

just like a child

holding onto a toy soldier

©2026 Scott Pleasants