Here is a little poem that is simple, yet powerful. I apologize for not being able to cite the source.

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform in our time of need.
Amen."

Below is a poem from a young Marine to his Dad.

THE MARINE

We all came together,
Both young and old.
To fight for our freedom,
To stand and be bold.
In the midst of all evil,
We stand our ground,
And we protect our country
From all terror around.
Peace and not war,
Is what some people say.
But I'll give my life,
So you can live the American way.

I give you the right
To talk of your peace,
To stand in your groups,
And protest in our streets.
But still I fight on.
I don't bitch,
I don't whine.
I'm just one of the men
Who is doing your time.
I'm harder than nails,
Stronger than any machine,
I'm the immortal soldier,
I'm a U.S. MARINE!

So stand in my shoes,
And leave from your home.
Fight for the people who hate you,
With the protests they've shown.
Fight for the stranger,
Fight for the young,
So they all may have,
The great freedom you've won.
Fight for the sick,
Fight for the poor.
Fight for the cripple,
Who lives next door.
But when your time comes,
Do what I've done.
For if you stand up for freedom
You'll stand when the fight's done.

~CPL Aaron M. Gilbert, USMC~
~ 'USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF~

On a side note...
I served proudly in the USMC, active duty, F-4 Phantom aircraft electrician/comm nav technician (PMOS 6334/SMOS 6314) from 1980-1988. Effective 9/25/03 Commissioned to 1LT United States Army Reserves in the Army Nurse Corps. I'm too old to go back into the Marine Corps but not for the Army Nurse Corps, hehehe.

Cary J. Barrett, RN, BSN
1LT, AN, USAR
5501st USAH Section 1
2010 H Wurzbach Hwy BL
San Antonio, TX 78209-6000