I am just a man, a man who carries a gun
fighting for your freedom, fighting for my life
I am a brother and a lover...a father and a son
left behind are family and friends...my baby and my wife
Just doing my job I say to you
keeping the peace in foreign lands
Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan to name a few
doing what I can to lend a hand
The love and endless spirit I see shining in your eyes
knowing that I fight for us to protect our way of life
this is all the inspiration that I need to carry on
to bring these people a few moments in time that hold no strife
I see things that those at home don't see
the cruelty and irony...the blood, the dust, the fear
endless lonely nights when my thoughts turn home to you
but I carry on, I do my job and say don't shed a tear
I am just a man, a man who carries a gun
fighting for your freedom, fighting for my life
respect me for the job I do, don't turn your gaze away
pray that I'll return home safe to my baby and my wife
...my thoughts and prayers are with all soldiers of all nations
thoughts of their bravery and the sacrifices they make
prayers for their safe return to loved ones
but most of all a prayer for peace in our time...
Author notes
I would like to quote the fourth and the last stanza from For The Fallen by Laurence Binyon. The fourth stanza is said by Australians at Remembrance Services and in Returned Servicemens Clubs throughout the country:-
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
As the stars shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
Lest We Forget...
A contest entry
- Helping Raise Spirits of Our Soldiers! by JustSimplyLissa.
3000 points, ended September 24, 2007, 16 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Military!! write me something good!! by takemypainaway.
500 points, ended November 1, 2007, 10 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 25 of 25
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That was mint, really liked that one!
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Perfect
With all the contraversy over the war, your poem reminds people whether or not you support or not support the war, to ALWAYS support our troops. Thank you for this warming poem.
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This is a great poem. It makes me think of my oldest brother in the Marines.
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This is such a very wonderful write... a soldier's life is not an easy one as each one of them sacrifices their personal happiness to promote peace...I salute you for penning a fantastic tribute to the soldiers all over the world...
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An excellent piece that says what many who serve feel Good luck in the contest
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Thank you so very much for your comment and well wishes.
Margaret
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amazing write!! i love it thank you for entering!!
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Thank you for the Gold trophy and for running this contest. It saddens and angers me when people make unfair judgements against our soldiers. I can never say often enough that they are only doing their jobs...a job that their detractors wouldn't or couldn't do if their lives depended on it. Okay...I'll get off my soapbox now
I hope you and your Marine enjoy many years of happiness together.
Take care
Margaret
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True inspiration ...
These lines … "The love and endless spirit I see shining in your eyes, knowing that I fight for us to protect our way of life, this is all the inspiration that I need to carry on…” are soooooo filled with truth. Thank you. Love, Sultan
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Thank you so much for your comment on my poem. I have read your Author Page and hope that you and your family remain safe. It is a terrible world we live in these days.
Take care my friend
Margaret
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Well
In this day & time when so many are ready to condemn those who fight for freedom I must say your words blow me away. I salute you & your understanding & compassion
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Thank you Bob.
There have always been soldiers in my family and I have a lot of friends in the Military. It always seems to me that those who condemn a soldier who is doing his job never take the time to realise that it's because of soldiers that they have the right to state an opinion. I get very angry about this subject so I direct it towards supporting them with my words. If it helps someone to understand then I've done well.
Take care my friend
Margaret
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This is a really good one. I'm in tears as I post this comment. Your words are so true. Hope no one forgets those of them who serve.
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Amen
Very nice form, very pretty prayer, and very heartfelt, best of luck in the contest
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this such a beautiful poem you hav writen, it is so up liftin and very inspirin to read.
these guys an gals hav teh mos imposible job in teh whole world but they do it becaus thy wan to make a difrence an they wan to help othrs.
i hav a few friens in teh army, thes are guys i went to school wit. wit each visit home thy make an each time they com to see me i can see a litle bit moer chnge in them.
it no a physical one, it difrent. they stil happy an smile on teh outside but whe you look in ther eyes, that ol familar spark jus isnt there any more. it replacd bu a darkr more hauntd look. an it realy hurts cause you know there is npthin yu can do to hlp them wit it an you also kno they nerv goin to be teh same again.
i love thet poem fo teh fallen, it one of my favs.
good luck in teh contest an yes i agree ....
lest we forget
my prays go out to al teh soldiers an ther families.
bel ange
jan
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Words cannot describe how this piece makes me feel. I've been to it and read it a couple of times today, and words just don't seem to be enough. So, all I can say is I applaude you. You have such a gift, in being able to get to the heart of the reader Awesome write and I reckon it's Gold
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This touched my heart so much. My best friend Maghen was sent to Iraq when her 2nd child was only 3 months old. She is home now after being there for about 2 years and I feared for her life but she came home to us safe and sound. Thank you for writing what so many of us would like to say but can't find the words. God bless!
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This poem is amazing.
My brother is a Specialist in the Army,
And I'm joining as soon as this semeseter's over.
This is awesome!
I wish there were more who thought like this.
I honestly love this poem.
It's well written, well put togeather,
And perfectly exicuted!
I'm glad I saw this.
It gives me hope for this country,
After seeing the way the media tends to put soldiers down.
Thank you.
Peace and God bless!
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My God this poem is astounding.
My husband is a Corporal in the Marine Corps. We were married three short weeks ago and he is leaving for Iraq in one month. This poem is so beautiful. It realy made me cry to think about how some people in this nation can so easily turn their gaze away. I have to defend my husband against their ignorance daily, and on a college campus, thats alot of defense.
Thank you for sharing and may God Bless you.
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Amen my friend! You have taken your readers into a world most do not know. For as they go about there every day tasks they so often forget these brave men and women are out there willing to give the most ultimate sacrifice just for us to go on. We should all take a moment out every day and just hug every soldier we meet no matter which they serve for ... so many go unnoticed and ache for a hug and a thank you just to be recognized is enough for them to go on.
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This is outstanding. You had me in tears as I read on here. The heart and soul that went into this piece I know is with every soldier out there fighting for peace in our time. I too wish we could see that. I want to thank you for such a marevelous write in honor of the brave men and women that defend their countries and fore entering this contest. You have my best wishes and I know that Lissa will agree. Pen on dear poet. Love and God bless, Joyce
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This gave me goosebumps. I love this poem! It is so heartfelt and I love that it is written in the perspective of the soldier. I really enjoyed this piece and I am sure the soldiers will as well
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this is lovely dedication,felt deep in the hearts of many I am sure,thank you for sharing this ever so truthfull
poem with all! MM
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You give me the shivers when you write like this...
Wonderful piece of penmanship and do love the notes on this
Twinny
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Your spot is reserved! Thank you!
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