I know usually I'll do this around holidays like Veterans Day, how ever, lately I feel as if I need to do this again. I'm posting this forum with links to many different videos as a tribute for those who have fallen in war or have died from attacks on citizens. I'm not sure why I feel as if I need to do this again, but I do and once it is done, I will feel better. Just watch a few, the title of the video will be listed, maybe it will be easier for you to choose which ones you would like to watch. I have watch all of these all the way through, feel free to add vidoes if you like. You may also add poems like the ones I did. There is one a friend of mine wrote, I'm trying to find it.
Christmas Poem
Twas the night before Christmas
He lived all alone
in a one bedroom house made of
plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney
with presents to give,
and to see just who
in this home did live.
I looked all about,
a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents,
not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle,
just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures
of far distant lands.
With medals and badges,
awards of all kinds,
a sober thought
came through my mind.
For this house was different,
it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone,
curled up on the floor
in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle,
the room is such disorder,
not how I pictured
a United States soldier.
Was this the hero
of whom I 'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?
I realized the families
that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers
who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world,
the children would play,
and grown-ups would celebrate
a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom
each month of the year,
because of the soldiers,
like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder
how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas eve
in a land far from home.
The very thought
brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees
and started to cry.
The soldier awakened
and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
My life is my God,
my country, my Corps."
The soldier rolled over
and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it
I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still
and we both shivered
from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave
on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor
so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over,
with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa,
It's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch,
and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend
and to all a good night."
Weapons
There are many types of weapons
But the ones that hurt the most
Are the weapons made of memories
And the deadly midnight ghost
Not all wounds are red and bloody
There are wounds that touch the mind
These are wounds that always fester
They're the never healing kind
Why are we who've done our duty
Plagued by wounds that never heal
Made by weapons of our memories
Which are worse than lead and steel
Medals
Don't envy a man his medals
All those ribbons on his chest
He did not try to get them
They're not there at his request
They were earned in stinking hell holes
Where no man would like to go
Or in cold and wintry places
Where there's only ice and snow
He did not know he earned them
Till they were awarded at parade
And they were bright when he first got them
But in time the colors fade
He was told he had to wear them
And to wear them all with pride
But when the memories come to haunt him
Those same medals make him hide
Cause those medals will not bring back
All those guys he left behind
And he would trade them all forever
For a little peace of mind
So don't envy a man his medals
You don't want to take his place
Thinking back to long gone battles
And meeting dead friends face to face
The Memorial
We tried,we tried,Oh God we tried
So we could be here too
And walk around remembering
And look for names we knew
Our lives were lost so far away
Upon a distant shore
But we are here in memory
As you read our names once more
Remember us,Remember us
Although we're truly gone
Remember us,as we once were
And not just names in stone
Wounds of War
Some wounds of war
Are never seen
They're buried deep within
No open wound
No Purple Heart
No blemish on the skin
But these are wounds
That leave a scar
Upon our very soul
They tear our hearts
Cause misery
And take a heavy toll
Our bloodless wounds
Cause us to ask
Oh GOD,what was it for
We go through life
Not knowing why
We have these Wounds of War
Combat
Roaring noises
Screaming voices
Metal flying
There and here
Eyes are burning
Guts are churning
Men are fighting
Full of fear
Guns are smoking
Lungs are choking
Thru it all
Godawful smell
I hear crying
Men are dying
I'm alive
But I'm in hell
THE CALL
The blood of men flows ever out
As raging rivers to the sea
There seems to be an endless source
From long lost memory
The young men come to volunteer
To shed their blood once more
They've heard the call to bleed again
Upon some distant shore
Why is the call to die so strong
That men will heed the call
Or do they think they're not the ones
Who'll take the final fall
It's always someone else who dies
Not we who volunteer
We think we'll never be the one
And laugh to hide our fear
But deep within our inner souls
We know we may be wrong
That death may be around the turn
Our life may not be long
But never mind we heard the call
We line up in our ranks
And a grateful nation will be there
To give us all their thanks
They'll build for us a monument
Young boys will come to stare
And they will be the next to go
To shed their blood somewhere
Have you forgottenTributes to Soldiers 2006