You enlisted into the military
It was your choice
A good choice indeed
You go to basic training to learn everything, and everything in between
After that you are not done
You have a career
A job
A duty
One that will never be gone
You get a call
It’s time to run
You are now on duty
Go grab your gun
Its Go time
You are behind your gun
Poised and ready
You are scared that this may be your last day
But you put that aside
Grab your courage
You are ready
Snap, buzz the bullets are flying past
You dodge and roll and stay behind cover
You move in
Never surrender
You know this day may be your last
But you keep going
Next thing you know someone yells grenade.
You run and it explodes
You are safe but wait is everyone else safe?
One…two…three… breathe. Breathe
Yep everyone is good
Now you are closing in fast on the enemy
Next thing you know you have captured the enemy
You have won
You are still alive
Your team is still alive
You praise the lord and shout with joy
Now you are headed home to the family you love
To a wife, a daughter, a son, an adopted child
To a mother, a father,
To a grandfather, a grandmother,
To an aunt, an uncle,
To a pet
To friends and neighbors
Back home safe
Whoever is there runs to you when you arrive
Gives you hugs, kisses, pats on the back, a smile
You are reminded why you fight for your country
Yes this is why.
Now everyone is cheering
Cameras are snapping
News crews are there filming
Announcing the safe return
You end up getting medals
But they are not as important as your love for those back home
You don’t fight and risk your life for medals
You fight for your loved ones
If you don’t who will?
Lots of people I suppose
But you chose to fight for your reasons
Your lived your life to the fullest
You are brave
You are kind
You laid your life down on the line
For who?
For us of course
For your country
For your family
For your Friends
And you continue to do so even as a veteran
You inspire people
You inspire me
The stories you have are remarkable and memorable
The advice you give and have is beyond this world
For that I am honored to have you my dear friend