THE DIE IS CAST
(The Military)


We may wear different uniforms
And our traditions not the same
We may sing different marching tunes
But our drummer's beat's the same.

With our Freedom's Flag unfurled
We travel land and air and sea
To protect this way of life we live
To show others how life could be.

We all march shoulder to shoulder
Proud Sisters and Brothers, all
We take a solemn vow and swear
We will answer our Nation's call.

Some may serve one hitch or two
For some, will be their life's career
Some will serve, “over there”
And there's some, will stay right here.

We come from all walks of life
To join in that one common cause
To guard and protect the U.S.A.
So we won't be, that Land, that was.

We are out there at the forefront
For all the rest the World to see
To show them all how proud we are
Of this great Land of the Free.

All who serve should take a bow
Then stand straight and tall with pride
Salute that ol' red white and blue
Sisters and Brothers, side by side.

Someday maybe, they won't need us
And wouldn't that be just fine
For all mankind to live in Peace
Sometime there, on down the line.

But until that day finally comes
And tyrants are part of our past
We must be ready to face them
For, that's how our die is cast.

Del “Abe” Jones

A Different Christmas Poem

Author Unknown

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
S! tanding out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at '</SPAN!Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front agains! t any a nd all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
 

Poems written by LCpl Jason Gerstner:

FINAL INSPECTION

The Marine stood and faced his God, which will always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass.

Step forward now you Marine, how shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek and to my church been true?

The marine squared his shoulders and said, “No, Lord, I guess I ain’t,

Cause those of us who carry guns can’t always be a saint.

I’ve had to work on Sundays and at times my talk was tough,

And sometimes I’ve been violent cause the world is awfully rough.

But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep,

Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep,

And I passed a cry for help though at times I shook with fear,

And sometimes, God, forgive me, I wept unmanly tears.

I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here.

They never wanted me around except to calm their fears.

If you’ve a place for me here, Lord, it needn’t be so grand.

I never asked or had too much. If you don’t, I’ll understand.

There was silence all around the throne, where saints had often trod,

As the Marine waited quietly for the judgment of his God.

Step forward now, you Marine. You’ve borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on heaven’s streets. You’ve served your time in hell.

WE ARE THE FORGOTTEN

Lost in the middle of nowhere, Korea is the spot.

We’re bound to serve our time in the land the Lord forgot.

Down in the rice paddies and up in the mountains, where a man really gets blue,

Down in the middle of nowhere, a million miles from you.

You sweat, you freeze, you shiver, it’s more than a man can stand.

We’re not a bunch of convicts, we’re the defenders of our land,

We’re men in the Marines earning our measly pay,

Guarding people with millions for only two and a half a day.

Living here without memories, waiting to see our gals,

Hoping while we are away they haven’t married our pals.

Few people know we exist, even fewer people give a damn.

Although we may seem forgotten, we still belong to Uncle Sam.

When we go to heaven, St. Peter will surely yell,

Here’s the boys from Korea, they’ve served their time in hell.

LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

(Written about a marine who was killed in action last October in Korea)

(Gerstener read this at his memorial)

Memories linger in the mind, recalling a time gone by,

Deeds of good, some of bad – all captured with a sigh.

I see him moving as in a cloud, Tall and confident, his essence bright.

I shield my eyes, I know not where he went,

The doorbell sounds and brings me back,

I recognize the dress, two uniforms, pristine and proud,

Brothers of the best.They gently introduce themselves,

My eyes are filled with tears.

He died with honor for his country, a sacrifice so dear.

He touched the face of God today, his spirit cleansed and pure,

The angels lift him with their wings, feeling pain no more.

His letters I put away, his voice I’ll hear forever,

The time will come, my precious friends, once more we’ll be together.

IF I EVER GO TO WAR

( This poem was written for military families, as Gerstener doesn’t have a family)

If I ever go to war, mom, please don’t be afraid,

There are some things I must do, to keep the promises that I made..

I’m sure there will be heartache and I know you’ll cry tears,

But your son’s a Marine now, Mom, there is nothing to fear.

If I ever go to war, Dad, I know that you’ll be strong,

But you don’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’s a Marine now, Dad; I love you, Semper Fi!

If I ever go to war, Brother, there are some things I want to say,

You’ve always had “my back”, and I know it’s time to repay;

You’ll always be my daybreak, through all of life’s dark clouds.

Your brother’s a Marine now, Brother; I promise I’ll make you proud.

If ever I 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’s a Marine now, dear friend, and I’ll die to bring you peace.

And When I go to Heaven, and I see that pearly gate,

I’ll gladly decline entrance, then stand by 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 Marine sir, so I can’t leave a man behind.