... he died in a "war" that wasn't ... his is the singular marker, but that he was the "only casualty" of the conflict is not true ... passing through the tiny towns along their route travelers might notice that local street signs label the tarmac "military road," but most who drive through the haynesville woods know nothing of the history behind the road's name ... even the manner of private smith's death is a tale of conflicting legends ... as to why in 1930 the daughters of the american revolution reverently marked this spot, that, too, is a mystery ...
... we do know that maine and canada peaceably settled their border dispute, which explains why northern maine's great arc of the "river junction," madawaska, is more french than english ... coins from distant lands placed carefully along the top of the tombstone, we know that people from around the world stop at this quiet center of the woods to pay their respects to private smith—as did roger and i, pausing a moment to make a little pilgrimage ...
... two who served, we thanked our comrade for his service ...
... as we continued on our way, the final movement of autumn's foliage was being played crescendo over the landscape by a coldly blazing sun, and brisk fall winds buffeted our motorcycles so that at times we had to tack our way south along the military road ... blue sky above, open highway ahead, i could only think of my good fortunate—
—my most wonderful good fortune ...