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Lest we forget...


Mark_88

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I wrote this poem this morning...thinking of my Dad and the years he spent in the RCAF...he was just one of many that I am thankful for...

He rarely spoke of his service,
And I learned he served many years.
He sometimes talked of the friends he lost,
Never mentioning the tears.
Hard to think of him in that role,
Because all I saw was my Dad,
He once told me of his shooting prowess,
Not bragging, but saying he had.
Never speaking of lives he ended,
That subject was always taboo.
I didn't really want to know,
I assumed, though, it must be true.
What that does to a person is unspeakable,
And it makes me question the reason.
That people would want to start a war,
As if opening hunting season.
We are not simply commodities,
For others to do as they please.
This thing called war must be ended,
Like that of a deadly disease.
For now we can only remember,
Be thankful and never forget.
Those who died or fought for us,
Because freedom isn't easy to get.


Thanks to all the past, present, and future service men and women who give so selflessly...
 


lil_Blue_Ford

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Yes, many thanks to all who have served. We all owe them a debt of gratitude.

I'll never forget the one time I had a chance to do something for someone in the service. I was eating dinner at a Texas Roadhouse (steak joint). Sitting at the bar next to my table was a guy in uniform having dinner and I heard him mention that he was getting deployed. I flagged down my waitress and told her quietly to put his bill on my tab. Then I overheard her saying to another waitress about how "I wish I was rich enough to throw money around like that." Made me so mad, I wanted to get up and explain to her that I was not that rich, it was about respect.

My reward was when the guy went to pay his bill and was told that it was taken care of. He had tears in his eyes and couldn't thank me enough. I told him that it was the least I could do for him and that I wished I could do more.
 

bobbywalter

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thanks for that.
 

bobbywalter

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but freedom....


it is not free.
 

Doofy

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Thank You, Mark_88. That was an awesome poem and tribute to your father.
 

alwaysFlOoReD

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Thanks Mark.
And thanks to everyone that has protected our freedoms.
 

straycat

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Real good poem, Mark!!! Loved it.

My dad was a pilot for 33 1/2 years. 1944 (Army then AF in 1955. He retired in 1977. I was proud of him and he was proud of me too for serving. Not to many kids can say they served in the same war as their parents. I got to see my dad in 1972-1974 when I was in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. My dad was stationed in Cambodia. My first helicopter ride was over a battle scene above the Mekong River in Cambodia. One of the pilots who was a friend of mine asked how old I was. I told him I was 18. He said...'Oh, hell. My son will be 18 in 2 weeks!! '

I had wrote a few songs already in 1969 and 1970. My first poem was when I lived in Africa (The Congo and Kenya from 1963-1969). We moved to Tampa the summer of 1969. I was 15 march of 1969.

While we were flying above a combat scene I started writing a song in my head. When I got back to Bangkok I finished it and put the music to it. I have several music artist that want to do the song for Nashville. I will see what happens the coming year in January.

Here it is. I hope you all like this. Maybe a new recording artist will record this:


I Remember/No victories

Verse I:
I remember the sky’s in September
I remember the tears in your eyes from crying
I remember the screams and the cries
From the wounded and the dying
I’ll always remember ohh so well
So many lives’ that were blown to hell
I remember the nights when the only silence heard…
Was when the heavy rain drops fell

Chorus:
Politicians swore on their mother’s graves
This would be the land that America saves
But there will be no victories
No victories
How the protesters spat on us
As we stepped off that big grey bus…’Hey! Pow! Where are those victories’?
No victories

Verse II:
Hmmmm I was just eighteen
And I kissed goodbye my prom queen
They shoved a gun in my hand
Sent me to some foreign land
I remember the sunsets near the river
I remember the dirty water as I waded thru on patrol
I remember how we felt we were in control
Until the sounds of incoming approached

Chorus II:
As I saw families confided to a cage
My heart felt remorse and much rage
But there were to be no victories
No victories


Verse III:
I remember the news of your death
Wishing I was there to hold you until your last breath
I remember meaning to read the newest letters you wrote
Thinking I would have time to write you a note

I remember coming home to a sad new world
I remember how much I loved you my precious pearl
I remember life with you but how can I go on?
You were my love, my life, my beautiful swan

End Chorus:
I remember the battlefields turning red
From the dying and the dead
I’ll always remember ohh so well
So many lives’ that were blown to hell
The American War Machine had come home
Politicians waiting for another land for the troops to rome
But there will never be any victories
No victories
No victories
 

Mark_88

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Thank you everyone for the comments and your personal desire to honour our soldiers.

Thank you Stray for your poem...

I would have to say it is a bit hard hitting to become popular with the youth of today but also that if you hang onto that it will be popular...could be...but let's hope not...not because I wish you to not be recognized for your understanding...but because that would mean that a new army of soldiers is living and dying in fear and finding courage to fight another war.

I obviously want to put an end to war so we can prove that we are not just a bunch of savages that lust after the blood of our brothers and sisters...but we have "evolved" to the point that we recognize our limitations and opportunities on this planet and that everyone can have a slice of life...

But keep writing...maybe it will help others to understand...I know I tuned into the anti-war effort of musicians but I also wanted to sign up and do my part before I understood how senseless it all was...and I would still do it today if there was a need that I could see my place in the effort...
 

Ruffinit

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Thanks guys. All of my brothers and some of my sisters have served. Nephews and a couple nieces. Both my parents, grandfathers and uncles and great uncles. Incredulously we've all returned home from everything we've done and all the countries we've visited. I spent 20 years in myself and have many brothers in arms, thankfully I've not had to endure too many of them being injured or lost. I thank you all for your support; both those who have served and those who have supported, for it makes it easier when we have the support from home.
 
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straycat

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Thank you everyone for the comments and your personal desire to honour our soldiers.

Thank you Stray for your poem...

I would have to say it is a bit hard hitting to become popular with the youth of today but also that if you hang onto that it will be popular...could be...but let's hope not...not because I wish you to not be recognized for your understanding...but because that would mean that a new army of soldiers is living and dying in fear and finding courage to fight another war.

I obviously want to put an end to war so we can prove that we are not just a bunch of savages that lust after the blood of our brothers and sisters...but we have "evolved" to the point that we recognize our limitations and opportunities on this planet and that everyone can have a slice of life...

But keep writing...maybe it will help others to understand...I know I tuned into the anti-war effort of musicians but I also wanted to sign up and do my part before I understood how senseless it all was...and I would still do it today if there was a need that I could see my place in the effort...
Thank you Mark. I grew up with the protest songs...so many beautiful songs. So many of my friends have asked me to record it better then I have done with a digital tape payer a few years back. I go to folk rallies a few times a year here in Florida. Lots of 60's and 70's performers come to them. I was honored that a few of them asked me to play some of my songs at intermission times. That stoked me!!! My friends and family loved it as well.

I hope to one day meet you. All vets have so much in common. Right?
 

Mark_88

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All Vets know what it takes to be there...I never made it in because they didn't like my wonky hearing...but my friend that I signed up with did and he stuck it out for a few years.

They offered me a position as an MP (training) but I wanted to be a mechanic and the recruiting officer said if they put me in for that I'd be deaf within a year or two...so I bought a Ranger instead...lol
 

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