Iraqi Freedom

As I sit by the window,
wishing for daddy,
I remember all he taught me.

How to put the Army Uniform on.
how to sing the Army's song right.
How to stay in shape with PT.
how to address his boss.

I pray for him to be alright,
I pray for him to come home soon.

A few years pass,
and he's home with me again.
Operation: Iraqi Freedom.
He's done his time there.
he never wants to go back.

He retired January of last year.
Now he's crying.
I ask him why.
He says
"Daughter, when the military is your life,
there's nothing that can replace it.
The feeling of fighting for your country,
The feeling of doing something right.
Working as a team to accomplish something
and then coming home just fine.
I'm gonna miss this.
Just like everyone else.
That's why I'm crying."

I let this just sink in.
And then I start to cry.
Because I know I'll miss this too.
This style of Army living.
And the's now nothing else that I can do.
Except to keep on writing.
And telling all you veterans out there
I'm thankful that you were out there fighting.