Military Poems

It's Who You Are

 He returned to civilian life

 as a decorated Army vet,

 but the memories of those years gone by

 he never will forget.

 The names and faces of the comrades

 that still linger in his mind

 accompany thoughts of distant places

 that he cannot leave behind.

 I asked him when he was fighting,

 if he ever questioned why?

 and without the slightest hesitation,

he gave me this reply:

Not for gratitude or accolades

or to boast a battle scar....

it's what you do, it's why you're trained

it's why you breathe...it's who you are.

Though he bears visible scars,

never a tear has he cried,

0for the most painful wounds inflicted

he has buried deep inside.

unaffected by the war

and today his actions are a reflection

of events that happened years before.

Those official army documents,

medals and commendations

those that list the dates and details

of military operations

are not framed upon his office wall

in a boastful display,

but tucked inside a bottom drawer

and humbly filed away.

But the wording from those papers

that he finally chose to confide

filled me with admiration

and a renewed sense of pride

Valiant heroic endeavor

 This officer, though wounded,

fought more vigorously than ever

To look at him, you’d never know

the things that he’s endured;

the life or death decisions made

and the men he reassured.

The life that he has lived

and the lessons he has learned

have built a strong foundation

for the respect that he has earned.

Though retired from duty, in his heart,

his country he still serves

and the respect that he commands today

is the respect that he deserves

And for the sacrifices made

that no one can dispute,

Colonel, consider these heartfelt words

a written hand salute!

~Unknown