A COLLECTION OF SOLDIER'S POEMS
Somewhere in the night a quiet professional is waiting.
He does not care that he is tired.
That his hardened body is sleep deprived. He is unbroken and vigilant in his task.
Somewhere this warrior is the final tripwire.
He has trained all his life in brutal conditions day and night. This barren and desolate world is his home. He lives and survives by an ancient Creed.
Somewhere this weapon of war will not ask nor give quarter.
He thrives on the mission and completing his objective. That he allows the taste of fear to motivate his actions. He is…the final option.
~ Mingo Kane ~
Author of "Scars of The Prophet" 
Vietnam Tears
I stood and I watched as a mother cried, when she had heard that her son had died. He didn't die because he was sick, or he didn't die because he was in a wreck. He died doing what he felt was right. I watched a father try to hold back his tears, His son had lived only a scant 19 years. His son had died nine thousand miles away, And what was there left for a father to say? He got down on his knees and said a prayer, His brave son knows his father did care. I stood and watched as a little girl cried. She didn't understand why her brother had passed on; Why he never again played with her on the lawn. Looking at the little girl's tears I knew, That her big brother died fighting for you and me. ~ Author Unknown ~ 
JUST A SIMPLE SOLDIER
© 1985 A. Lawrence Vaincourt
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
and he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done.
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, everyone.
And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
all his buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer, for ol' Bob has passed away,
and the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary, very quiet sort of life.
He held a job and raised a family, quietly going on his way;
and the world won't note his passing; 'tho a Soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state.
While thousands note their passing, and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell of their life stories, from the time that they were young,
but the passing of a soldier, goes unnoticed, and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution, to the welfare of our land,
some jerk who breaks his promise, and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow, who in times of war and strife,
goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?
The politician's stipend and the style in which he lives,
are sometimes disproportionate, to the service he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
is paid off with a medal and perhaps a pension, small.
It's so easy to forget them, for it is so long ago,
that our Bob's and Jim's and Johnny's, went to battle, but we know.
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
who won for us the freedom, that our Country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
would you really want some cop-out, with his ever waffling stand?
Or would you want a Soldier, who has sworn to defend,
his home, his kin, and Country, and would fight until the end?
He was just a common Soldier and his ranks are growing thin.
But his presence should remind us, we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the Soldier's part,
is to clean up all the troubles, that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor, while he's here to hear the praise,
then at least let's give him homage, at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline, in the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."
Freedom
To all our Soldiers past and present, God Bless
Glory to the American Flag, long may she wave
So many have been covered with her when they've
gone to their grave
So many of us have taken for granted that our
freedom will always be
We tend to forget those who have kept that
right for you and for me
A Soldier will stand and fight all night to
keep us from harm
While some of us sit at home and refuse to
lift an arm
Some sit around and complain all day how
wrong this war must be
While a Soldier pushes that aside to continue
to fight for you and me
Some sit around and complain about the food
their going to eat
While a Soldier works straight through
hungry and weary on his feet
While you sit around and complain about what
you have or where you live
Remember what a Soldier somewhere for you is
about to give
A Soldier stands tall and proud and ready for
the fight
We must stand strong behind them through
their hard and arduous plight
WHY
Far above the storm clouds gathering
Far above that midnight sky
Looking out just past the rainbow
Where eagles dare not fly
Out among the ashes
Of heroes long since past
I will take my place among them
When that final die is cast
Let not your heart be troubled
That's what I've always heard
But I stood for what I believed in
With these my final words
For in this life but few things matter
In this short time that we have here
Leaving nothing behind but our honor
The thing we hold most dear
Our dead brothers still live for us and bid us think of life,
not death-of life to which in their youth they lent the passion and joy of the spring. As I listen, the great chorus of life and joy begins again and amid the awful orchestra of seen and unseen powers and destinies of good and evil our trumpets sound once more. a note of daring, hope and will. I see them now, as once I saw them on this earth. They are the same bright figures that come also before your eyes and when I speak of those who were my brothers, the same words describe yours. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes ~
"A Visitor From the Past (Anonymous)
I had a dream the other night, I didn’t understand, A figure walking through the mist, with a flintlock in his hand. His clothes were torn and dirty, as he stood there by my bed. He took off his three cornered hat, and speaking low, he said "We fought a revolution to secure your liberty. We wrote the Constitution, as a shield from tyranny. For future generations, this legacy we gave. In this the land of the free and the Home of the Brave." "The freedom we secured for you, we hoped you’d always keep. But tyrants labored endlessly while your parents were asleep. Your freedom gone, your courage lost, you’re no more than a slave. In this the Land of the Free and the home of the brave" "You buy permits to travel, and permits to own a gun, Permits to start a business, or to build a place for one. On the land you believe you own, you pay a yearly rent. Although you have no voice in choosing how the money is spent" "Your children must attend a school that doesn’t educate. Your Christian Values can’t be taught, according to the state. You read about the current news, in a regulated press. You pay a tax you do not owe to please the IRS" "Your money is no longer made of silver or of gold. You trade your wealth for paper so your life can be controlled. You pay for crimes that make our nation turn from God in shame. You’ve taken Satan’s number as you’ve traded in your name.
You’ve given government control to those who do you harm.
So they padlock churches and steal the family farm. And keep our country deep in debt, put men of God in jail. Harass your fellow countryman, while corrupted courts prevail." "Your public servants don’t uphold the solemn oath they’ve sworn. Your daughters visit doctors so their children won’t be born. Your leaders ship artillery, and guns to foreign shores. And send your sons to slaughter, fighting other people’s wars" " Can you regain the freedom for which we fought and died? Or don’t you have the courage, or the faith to stand with pride? Are there no more values for which you’ll fight to save? Or do you wish your children to live in fear and be a slave?" "People of the Republic, arise and take a stand! Defend the Constitution, the supreme law of the land! Preserve our great Republic, and God given rights! And pray to God to keep the torch of freedom burning bright!" As I awoke he vanished in to the mist from whence came. His words were true, we are not free, we have ourselves to blame. For even now as Tyrants trample each God given right. We only watch and tremble, too afraid to stand and fight. If he stood by your bed side in a dream, while you’re asleep. And wonders what remains of our Rights he fought to keep. What would be your answer? If he called out from the grave. "Is this still the land of the free and the home of the Brave?""
This Soldier poem taken from The Wall USA site...
There is discipline in A Soldier you can see it when he walks, There is honor in A Soldier you hear it when he talks. There is courage in A Soldier you can see it in his eyes, There is loyalty in A Soldier that he will not compromise. There is something in A Soldier that makes him stand apart, There is strength in A Soldier that beats from his heart. A Soldier isn't a title any man can be hired to do, A Soldier is the soul of that man buried deep inside of you. A Soldier's job isn't finished after an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week, A Soldier is always A Soldier even while he sleeps. A Soldier serves his country first and his life is left behind, A Soldier has to sacrifice what comes first in a civilian's mind. If you are civilian - I am saying this to you..... next time you see A Soldier remember what they do. A Soldier is the reason our land is 'Home of the free', A Soldier is the one that is brave protecting you and me. If you are A Soldier - I am saying this to you..... Thank God for EVERY SOLDIER Thank God for what YOU do!
~ by Angela Goodwin ~
ONLY A SAILOR
HE'S ONLY A SAILOR ON THE BOUNDLESS DEEP,
UNDER FOREIGN SKIES AND TROPICAL HEAT.
ONLY A SAILOR ON THE ROLLING DEEP,
IN SUMMER RAIN AND WINTER SLEET.
HE'S ONLY A SAILOR FOR UNCLE SAM,
FAR FROM HIS HOME AND NATIVE LAND.
HE'S ONLY A SAILOR SOME FOLKS SAY,
HE CAN MAKE A LIVING NO OTHER WAY.
THEY SAY, "HE'S A SAILOR OF THEM BEWARE,"
NO MORE OF HIM THAN A DOG DO THEY CARE.
HE'S ONLY A VAGABOND WHO'S NEVER BEEN BORN,
AND IT'S BECAUSE HE WEARS A NAVY UNIFORM.
YOU MAY CALL HIM A PAUPER OR A GOVERNMENT BUM,
BUT REMEMBER FOLKS HE'S THE MAN BEHIND THE GUN.
AND WHEN EVER WAR CLOUDS ARISE IN THE PEACEFUL SKY,
'TIS HE NOT YOU THAT GOES FORTH TO DIE.
'TIS HE THAT STANDS IN HIS SUIT OF BLUE,
TO DEFEND HIS HOME AND YOU.
'TIS HE THAT WALKS THE DECKS OF SHIPS,
'TIS HE THAT WOULD DIE WITH A SMILE ON HIS LIPS.
WHILE YOU ENJOY THAT WHICH HE HAS DONE,
GAST HIM OFF WITH A SNEER AND CALL HIM A BUM.
IF IT WERE NOT FOR HIM, WHOM YOU DESPISE AND HATE,
FOREIGN POWER INVADING WOULD MAKE YOUR FATE.
THEN YOU WOULD CRY ALOUD FOR THE BOYS IN BLUE,
BUT IF THERE WERE NONE PRAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
AND A SAILORS WIFE WHO TRAVELS THE WHOLE WORLD OVER,
TO BE WITH HER MAN ONE DAY OUT OF FOUR.
IS SNUBBED AND SHIED BY THE BEST IN EACH TOWN,
WHEN THEY SO NEED A SMILE THEY SEE ONLY A FROWN.
THEY REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT SHE IS TRUE,
TO HER MAN, HER COUNTRY, THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE.
THE APARTMENT HOUSE LANDLORD SAYS, "NO NAVY ALLOWED,"
AN INSULT TO HER HUSBAND OF WHOM SHE IS PROUD.
THEN REMEMBER WE TO OUR FLAG ARE TRUE,
SO PLEASE TRY TO GIVE THEM THAT WHICH IS DUE.
FOR BEFORE THEY ENLISTED TO WEAR THE SUIT OF BLUE,
THEY WERE CIVILIANS THE SAME AS YOU!
~ Author Unknown ~
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In Your Honor
Unselfishly, you left your fathers and your mothers,
You left behind your sisters and your brothers.
Leaving your beloved children and wives,
You put on hold, your dreams-your lives.
On foreign soil, you found yourself planted
To fight for those whose freedom you granted.
Without your sacrifice, their cause would be lost
But you carried onward, no matter the cost.
Many horrors you had endured and seen.
Many faces had haunted your dreams.
You cheered as your enemies littered the ground;
You cried as your brothers fell all around.
When it was over, you all came back home,
Some were left with memories to face all alone;
Some found themselves in the company of friends
As their crosses cast shadows across the land.
Those who survived were forever scarred
Emotionally, physically, permanently marred.
Those who did not now sleep eternally
'Neath the ground they had given their lives to keep free.
With a hand upon my heart, I feel The pride and respect; my reverence is revealed In the tears that now stream down my upturned face
As our flag waves above you, in her glory and grace.
Freedom was the gift that you unselfishly gave
Pain and death was the price that you ultimately paid.
Every day, I give my utmost admiration
To those who had fought to defend our nation.
~ Author Unknown ~ 
A Tribute To Veterans
In Vietnam, Korea and World Wars Past
Our Men Fought Bravely so Freedom Would Last
Conditions Where Not Always Best They Could Be
Fighting a Foe You Could Not Always See:
From Mountain Highs to Valley Lows
From Jungle Drops to Desert Patrols
Our Sinewy Sons Were Sent Over Seas
Far From Their Families And Far From Their Dreams
They Never Wrote Letters Of Hardships Despair Only Of Love,
Yearning That One Day Soon:
They Would Come Home, They Would Resume
And Carry On With The Rest of Their Lives
The P.O.W.¹S Stood Steadfast Against the Indignities And Cruelties Of War
They Could Not Have Lasted as Long as They Did If They Had Relinquished Their Hope That Some Day:
They Would Come Home, They Would Resume
And Carry On the Rest Of Their Lives
Medics, Nurses, and Chaplains Alike
Did What They Needed To Bring Back Life
They Served Our Forces From Day Into Night
Not Questioning If They Would Survive:
They Mended Bones And Bodies Too,
They Soothed the Spirits of Dying Souls
And for Those M.I.A¹S, Who Were Left Behind
We Echo This Message Across the Seas
We Will search For as Long As It Takes
You're Not Forgotten And Will Always Be:
In Our Hearts, In Our Prayers, In Our Minds For All Time
A Moment of Silence, a Moment of Summons
Is Their Deliverance of Body And Soul
To a Sacred Place That We All Know Deep In the Shrines of Our Soul:
In Our Hearts, In Our Prayers In Our Minds For All Time
INTERLUDE: GOLD STAR MOTHERS GRIEVE: ENDLESSLY, ENDLESSLY, ENDLESSLY.......
These Immortalized Soldiers Whose Bravery Abounds They¹re Our Husbands, Fathers, and Sons
They Enlisted For the Duty at Hand To Serve the Cause of Country and Land:
They Had Honor, They Had Valor, They Found Glory That Change Them Forever
Men Standing Tall and Proud They be A Country Behind Them in a Solemn Sea
So Let the Flags of Freedom Fly Unfurled in Their Majesty High:
In the Sun, In the Rain In the Winds Across This Land
Years of Tears Has Brought Us Here Gathering Around to Hear This Sound
So Let the Flags of Freedom Fly Unfurled in Their Majesty High:
In the Sun, In the Rain, In the Winds Across This Land
REPEAT:
In the Sun, In the Rain, In the Winds For All Time
Jerry Calow (copyright 2003 )
Eulogy for a Veteran
Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the Gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the mornings hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.
SOLDIER
By: Ed Coet, Major, USA-Retired I saw a burial with a bugler playing taps; I turned to my father, “what happened?” I asked. He clutched my hand and with a quiver in his voice, he began to explain and his eyes became moist. “My son,” he said, “this is rather difficult for me; for an old veteran like myself this is tough to see. In that coffin lies a genuine patriotic warrior, an honest-to-God hero, an American soldier. I appreciate that soldier and the service he gave, and I honor his sacrifice as he’s laid in his grave. He was honorable, selfless, courageous, and bold; please remember him son, as you grow old. The value of his service, I must explain, if not remembered, will be lost in vain. As a nation we’re nothing without soldiers like him; and failing to remember would be a terrible sin.” I listened in awe as my father spoke, it seemed as if his heart were broke. I suddenly remembered when he went to war, and when he returned I thought nothing more. I never asked why he walked with a limp, and I didn’t care about why he was sick. I was to busy enjoying the life that I had, to realize that I had it because of dad. I finally understood what my dad was about, and it hurt so bad I cried out loud. He sacrificed so much so I could be free, and his battle scares were suffered for me. It was my father’s spirit that spoke to me that day; thank God I finally understood what he had to say. I saluted his coffin as they laid him to rest, and I thought about the medals pinned on his chest. That I didn’t honor him sooner, I will always regret; and I pledged that day to never again forget. I’m proud that my dad was a patriotic warrior; I’m honored to be the son of an American soldier.
Posted on The Wall Site for Cpl Brent R Jones.
The Stranger One lovely summer day As I was walking through the grass Reflecting on the very fondest Memories of my past I past an unfamiliar place And stopped a while to see Completely unsuspecting Of the change this place would bring I stood before a wall of names Two hundred and fifty-one Engraved upon a monument That pierced the shining sun And though, to all these names I was a stranger passing by I looked upon these names And there was one that caught my eye It may have been a moment Or an hour, or a year I walked up to the name And leaned in close so I could hear I closed my eyes and listened To the pure and priceless truth And came to understand the love Of which, this wall is proof It's said that he who bears The very greatest love of all Will sacrifice his life Before He'll see a dear friend fall Though people often wonder Whether such a man is real I see him now Through these engraven letters that I feel He's sitting with his brother telling stories as they laugh Of the greatest game's he'll ever pitch Of the biggest fish he'll catch He's standing by his colors On a hillside far away He's diving through the amber fire While others run away I search through all my memories Of the noble and the grand The courage and the truth That I've been taught to understand Of all the stories that are told This shall be told of you Dear Soldier, How you gave your life For those you never knew. This poem was written by Callie Crofts, Firth High School class of 2004. Sunday, March 27, 2005
After The War
There’s a tear in the fabric of his being
... Where the memories lie waiting to remind him
... Of the horror and the carnage
That is cataloged as war
Which civilians never see
For it’d shatter their reality
And leave them in a state of what
To call it I don’t know
But it’s tipped the balance
Of the G I Joe
Who comes to calmer waters
Where life’s normal once again
But he’s having trouble fitting in
For he’s shaken bad internally;
it’s a price they paid for defending
But the dreams are never ending.
John Breska 44th Scout Platoon, 25th Division Viet Nam 69-70 —
I AM YOUR WALL!
The Rods and Wire of Steel at my Core are
For those Who gave their Lives
Never to return in Body.
They are the strength of our Wall.
The Mass of Mortar of my Body
Is for the Mass of Men and Women
Who left their Families and
Dedicated their Courage and Time to a Cause.
The Medal of Honors and Navy Crosses on my Face
Are for the strength and Resolve
For which We stood.
I am your Wall and
I stand before three Boats
That represent all the Units of our Conflict -- all Conflicts.
I am your Wall,
Conceived and Nurtured and
Built with Loving Care and
Thought by a few for All.
I am your Wall,
Standing in Respectful Memory,
Hoping to have no others built like Me
But ready to Serve,
If ever called upon again.
I am your Wall,
Respect Me, Hold Me, Caress Me, Love Me,
As I Love You.
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