Dear Lord:
Give me the strength to say goodbye. Hold back the tear in my eye.
Cure my insomnia so that I may sleep alone. Give me a reason to awake when I’ve none.
Dear Lord:
Please help me pace myself. Allow me to turn to you for help,
And please let me be strong for him, Even if I’ve reached the brim.
Dear Lord:
Please make time go fast. I don’t know how long I can last.
This is the hardest time of my life, But this is my job: the soldier’s wife.
Dear Lord:
Let them all stay strong. Give them the will to go on,
And Lord, Please bring back all our men. In the name of our country. Amen.
~By Leanne Thomas~
I am in love with a United States Soldier. I will support him in his defense of the Constitution of the United States of America. And I will understand that he must obey the orders of those appointed over him. I represent the true backbone and fighting spirit of the Army. And for those who have served before me I salute you with all the strength and loyalty my heart can muster. I proudly stand by the one I love with Honor, Courage and Commitment. I am committed to support my soldier and the United States Army.
If I ever go to war Mom, Please don’t be afraid.
There are some things I must do, To keep the promise that I made.
I’m sure there will be some heartache, And I know that you’ll cry tears,
But your son is a Soldier now, Mom, There is nothing you should fear.
If I ever go to war Dad, I know that you’ll be strong.
But you won’t have to worry, Cause you taught me right from wrong.
You kept me firmly on the ground, yet still taught me how to fly.
Your son is a Soldier now Dad, I love you Hooah, Even if I die.
If I ever go to war Bro, There are some things I want to say.
You’ve always had my back, and I know it’s my time to repay.
You’ll always be my daybreak, through all of life’s dark clouds,
Your brother is a Soldier now, Bro, I promise I’ll make you proud.
If I ever go to war Sis, don’t you worry bout me,
I always looked out for you, but I can't do that anymore,
Cause I'm a big bro to all in America.
I love you so much and you know that, Your brothers a soldier now Sis,
So wipe your eyes, I'll be fine even if I die.
If I ever go to war my Friends, We’ll never be apart,
Though we may not meet again, I’ll hold you in my heart.
Remember all the times we had, Don’t let your memories cease,
Your friend is a Soldier now, Dear Friend, And I’ll die to bring you peace.
And when I go to heaven, And see that pearly gate,
I’ll gladly decline entrance, Then stand my post and wait.
I’m sorry Sir I can’t come in, I’m sort of in a bind,
You see I’m still a Soldier Sir, So I can’t leave them behind.
By PFC Jonathan W. Guffey – Alpha Company
101st Airborne 2/506th Infantry Air Assault – Iraq 2006
10 July 2006
1 1/2 cups Patience
1 cup Courage
3/4 cup Tolerance
dash of Adventure
1 pound of Ability
To the above ingredients: Add 2 tablespoons elbow grease and let stand alone for one year. Marinate frequently with salty tears. Pour off excess fat and sprinkle ever so lightly with money then Knead dough until payday. Season with international spices. Bake 20 years or until done. Makes unlimited servings
SERVE WITH PRIDE
I wear no uniforms, no blues or greens.
But, I am in the military, in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders. Salutes I do not give.
But in the military world is where I live and am rarely seen.
I am not in the chain of command, orders I do not give or get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget.
I am not the one who fires a weapon, Who puts his life on the line.
But my job is just as tough, I’m the one who is always left behind.
My husband is a patriot, a brave and pride filled man.
And the call to serve his country not all can understand.
Behind the lines, I see things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do my kids and me.
I love the man I married. The military is his life.
So I pledge to support my hero and stand among the silent ranks known as
THE MILITARY WIFE.
"Why is it so cold?"
An innocent girl asks
She wouldn't understand
It's what the world masks.
She doesn't know why
Why everyone seems to cry
It's something few understand
Why men must be sent to die.
In a desert far away
Heroes stand strong and tall
Though dirtied with life
The men are brave through it all.
Perhaps this is what is needed
A little discipline and war
To make some people realize
Life won't be like before.
Brave men die far away
Protecting us from harm
A young man looks down
He forgot his good luck charm.
In an instant his life is gone
Torn away from the ground
In the distance a man lies fallen
With his hands and feet bound.
In a world far from war
People cannot see
What these men do
Their heroism and bravery.
So when the girl asks
"Why is it so cold?"
It's because of the men
That we can no longer hold.
~By Heidi Hinkle~
You aren’t issued with the uniform, boots and weapon,
But you are one lady no one should step on.
It usually goes “With this ring, I thee wed,”
But add in “Even if it means me in an empty bed.”
“and the weeks in the field with many late nights,”
“which will at some point lead to fights.”
Yes, a military wife is courageous and strong,
Even when the days seem so long.
When you feel like you’re at your wits end,
You “Suck it up” and start to mend.
You learn the Army language,
All those acronyms, “How can I manage.”
PX, AAFES, LES, MOS - the list goes on and on,
All those letters would make an ordinary woman yawn.
But those letters are part of your life,
The life of a proud military wife.
You move too much and decorate too little,
Because you always seem to leave in the middle.
Don’t get too settled and make lots of friends
Because home is wherever the Army sends.
And then one day the orders come down,
Your husband soon will be leaving town.
“Up to 365 days or until mission complete”
You know your heart just skipped a beat.
You stare at the orders in front of you,
This was a possibility you always knew.
Now life takes on new meaning
And the tears start streaming.
You hug each other tight and kiss farewell,
How you feel, words could never tell.
You go back to an empty home,
And try not to sit by the phone.
You wait, wonder and worry,
And hope this year goes by in a hurry.
Things are different now.
You’ll do things you once did not know how.
Yellow ribbons are a new accessory,
You make your outfit match- it is a necessity
You cry when the National Anthem is played,
And you get your child that much needed band-aid.
You have your daily chores, as always,
Except now you’re the only one to sweep the hallways.
You’re “IT”- the only one
But you do it and try to have fun.
You say your prayers and wish on a star in the sky,
When he’s back in your arms, you’ll forget the year that went by.
And you’ll think how strong you had become,
When you were truly the army of “one.”
~Letisha E Wheeler October 16, 2005~
One ordinary man, with a heart made of gold
Training one weekend a month, until he was told
To bring all his strength, and control all his fear
Kiss his loved one's goodbye, but don't shed a tear
Now is the time to put your training to the test
Fighting a war with America's best
Seven months you will be gone, in a land far from here
Fighting a cowardly enemy, the dangers will grow near
Don't give in , don't give up, stand tall and be true
For you are a hero fighting for the red, white, and blue
The country will thank you, and proud should you be
Because the world will be safer for both you and me
-Dawn Cook-
Words of wisdom, what can I say, my child is leaving for Iraq today.
He asks me for solace, comfort and love,
I ask for strength and courage from my Father above,
for he’s going to a dangerous place and tells me ‘Mom, I’m scared.”
I tell him “God is watching your backside, son and you two will always be paired.”
I tell him I’m praying for him constantly, but then he says, ‘Mom, pray for us all,’
So tonight when I bow my head, my promise to my hero, upon God, I will call.
He’s my hero, but he’s my baby, too.
Taking his life into his hands while protecting me and you.
Those who think we shouldn’t be there, I’ve got this to say to you:
He’s a hero, and though you don’t deserve it, he will fight and might die for you.
I’ve never been a letter-writer, but a new task I partake.
To be sure my soldier boy knows he is remembered, no mistake.
I’ll remind him that our hearts are with him, every minute, every day.
Locked inside my heart is his mind, body, soul and right there he will stay.
He’s my hero, but he’s my baby, too.
Taking his life into his hands while protecting me and you.
He needs to know we will all remember just why he is there.
To lift all our soldiers to our Lord in heaven, for His great abundant care.
Jesus said “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
So my son’s military heart in service to his country he did lend.
What can I possibly give my soldier, in return for what he’s given me?
In the beginning I gave him life, but in the end he makes me free.
Some mothers won’t get to welcome home their soldier boys,
Just a flag-draped coffin, lots of tears, but not from tears of joy.
We must not forget to pray for their helpless broken hearts.
For the pain of final separation when their precious one departs.
Christian is a man, a soldier, and my beloved son.
With military expertise and God’s guiding hand, he will find this war is won.
So Lord God, I plead for thee to keep my soldier safe, healthy and strong,
and let him come home, he and his buddies, when their work is finally done.
~By Carol Hill~