I don’t mean to complain, the chopper pilot stated,
But I really am in pain and I need to stay flight rated.
My bird went down, I broke my leg, but we got out alive.
The x-rays show the fracture in 4 places, no it’s 5.
But I need flight status, Mission First.
I don’t mean to bother, he said from his wheelchair,
But mess hall is too far, and I need transport to get there.
The First Sergeant helped quickly, the orders soon were straight,
And he was at a table, ready to clean up his plate.
Mission First, need to get back there.
He never does complain, sighed his wife with teary eyes.
But he got sick while fighting under chemical laced skies.
Returned to duty when they called, and now his body pays
For service that he gave our Country in those days.
Mission First, People Always.
I really kind of worried, I have no one else to ask.
I’m limited by TBI*, my Grandma does the tasks
I used to manage easily, and she is getting old.
I soldiered on when duty called, did what I was told.
Mission First, Mission Always.
(* TBI is Traumatic Brain Injury, usually from explosions)
Does this reflect your attitude about the military or being injured?
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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Deep Respect and Appreciation!
Even though I am Canadian, I have much support for all serving in the forces. This is a unique poem that truly shows what it is to be serving, have served and the sacrifices.. There are others on here that are serving, in Canada and U.S. that would love to communicate and read your work! Great write!
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My heart truly goes out to them all
It sadens me that out services recruit our young and then when they return sick and freightened to death they ignore them . I cry for they cant help the way they returned and so often in ther fear they turn to hard drugs for the hospitols ignore them so unable to help . Their has to be some way our country can help these men on their return to gradually regfress from the flash backs from action duty.There has to be -
Great title for this poem - so many are in these predicaments, and many just do not care. How much can one give for his country, if it is not his life? Does it not count when a leg, two legs, an arm, two arms, an eye, two eyes, a mind perhaps? Sentiments well expressed in these lines - sad state of affairs when powers that be don't want to pay disability pensions. Makes one think, these words do.
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I flew helicopters for the Army for 20 years (and survived LOL). I know the feeling and hate what our soldiers are now subjected to. I always saw it as a contract of trust and I see now that the contract was only on my side. Well written. Thank you for seeing and, more importantly, telling...
Ken -
Oh my this was really well put together the things that can happen to a person in war never go away I enjoyed this a lot thank you for reading one of my poems sorry it took so long to get back with you been really busy lots of love SH
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Outstanding
It takes real bravery to fight for your country and every respect to the soldiers who risk their lives. This reflected my attitude towards being injured and makes me think that war is wrong and wish for a better solution. Every respect to you as a poet for making this poem so vivid. These are the people that need support. A highly moving poem.
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These ARE our true HEROES
It is truly NOT those of us who made it back unscathed, but the ones who either don’t make it back at all, or those who left a part of themselves behind who are the heroes. Thank you for your understanding heart for these who volunteer to keep us free. I only wish those who were in charge of our country were as dedicated to our country as the soldiers and their families. As I read through teary eyes, I appreciated every word. Thanks for all you do, and may God bless all of our soldiers, and America.
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This is a real eye opener and brought tears to my eyes. I admire your dedication to helping these brave soldiers. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Peace and love to you, take care
Anne
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on the outside people are taking this selfless service and willing sacrifice to wage needless war, thery are padding pockets with vast wealth; then this side of the story, the human element; people who simply love their country as life itself...remarkable insight here...PK
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This touched my heart. Thank you for helping our soldiers and veterens in any way you can. They so deserve our thanks and repect from us all. God Bless our troops. Take care, Sandy
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Vets should be taken care of
i'm not sure if each stanza is about the same person, or several diff. soldiers. it works either way. using first person nar. in the last stanza makes the poem seem like it is about you. here, the poem takes a much more personal tone. i really like that affect, saved for the end. it's a nice twist.
also, if you are the subject of the poem, i think this is great insight to the selfless suffering of our soldiers whose "Mission First" is "People First." not once does the soldier(s) complain. and the detail about TBI makes me want to know how you got it. maybe i'm too curious. but the most important question is have you gotten the help you need? i really hope this is not written out of desperation. i heard that (don't quote me) 90% of America's homeless are Veterans. if not, then it's deff. the majority. so why can they not get the help they deserve!? that makes me angry. justice needs to be served.
thank you,
Jordon
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Wonderful grasp ...
of conditioning and choices. Socialization left many marginal. Add to that other sentiments like loyalty and guilt, and you get a rough terrain and a psychologically war zone.
Love to you.
Myra
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THOUGHTFUL AND SENSITIVE!!!
The ones who give so much of themselves so we as a people can enjoy the freedoms we do should be not only remembered but taken care of as long as they live.
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Bless all their souls for they do have the largest hearts in the world
So many people complain and ridicule our men and women of the service yet not a single complainer in this world could hold a candle to the love those men and women show for us .They live it breathe it and taste it see it and most of all give their life for what? "For us" for their hearts truly are what keeps this country together and free for you to be who you want to be . And anyone who ridicules or puts down our boys or burns or walks on the flag they have no soul no love no concience they take advantage of the word freedom for they have never fought or loved anyones else but themselves.They never think the reason our boys go to war is not only to kill thats not their purpose ov er there . Their purpose is to find a way to stop the bombings and the chidldren and families being killed by the enemy that has invaded not only our land but their land as well . When was the last time on the news have you heard how many people they have saved by being there .Not once right and thats because that doesnt make news our news only tells us of the caualties and only what they want us to see. If this country doesnt pull together and stop the gangs and the drugs and the then take a look at the evil going on around the country our men are fighting in and know if we dont learn to get along our own country will be filled with the same hate . Let people have their own religeons and beliefes just dont force your religeon on others around you its a country where we have the freedom to choose and the freedom to get along and teach each other at our own will others of our culture .Look how much we could learn from each other instead of fighting amongst ourselves .Its time we grow up and stop the fighting nd show our children how adults should act. I am sorry but it truly infuriates me to see people say and do hateful things
in this country when they truly have nothing to be angry about .
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I thought it represented well a warriors dedication, to complete a task over fear, regret, doubt in ones mission of karmic dream, in relation to the military it proves that we will run out of help when we have to devore plastic paper for dinner w oil, in relation to being injured well, you summed it nicely by overlaying people and always, well done and welcome to allpoetry, your insight is well seen...
w dove feathers, sage and chai
-jas
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The tension between personal bravery
... and political stupidity always saddens me. The best intentions of the individual, swallowed up in unconscionable political will which is sometimes called necessary. Is it? It it really? This is a nice study of that tension and the personal tragedies and ironies which ensue - articulate and interesting and well-realised... look forward to reading more.
Best
RA -
nice rhyme and nice flow going on here. I like the imagry that is being sent here. I believe that soldiers are just pawns of the rich who need the oil for the factories. they pay with thier lives and families. I know that they are never well rewarded for this and it is up to society to change.
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