Gone but not forgotten

Gone but not forgotten

He stood outside the station
with duffel bag in hand
A boy who loved the country
for whom he now would stand.
He never sought the journey
he would embark upon
But lined up with the others
and soon the boy was gone.
Yes gone to serve his country
the best that he knew how
and gone to leave his mother
to "carry on" somehow.
-
The days all turned to many
and never not a word
His mother wrote him often
but still she never heard.
Until one day a letter
was given her that read
Your only son is missing
and we presume him dead.
Now he has served his country
and he has served it well
But we can find no record
and have no way to tell.
-
What happened to the soldier
and how does life go on
How do you tell a mother
her only son is gone?
How do you tell a mother
and make her understand
when all she has is paper
to hold within her hand?