American Warrior

by H E Losey   Aug 18, 2008


Written for friends in the Guard/Reserve that I met while I was on active duty.

"Why Daddy?" my baby asked
There was no time to answer
As I left to board that air ship
My country had called me this trip

I found my seat and buckled up
The quiet was like a blanket
As one-by-one we settled in
We all knew our destination

Taking my pen and paper out
I wrote these words in answer
To that question my baby asked
And explain perhaps for soldiers passed

Knowing freedom is never free
We leave our friends and family
A weekend, two summer weeks or more
To train for a job most would abhor

"Weekend Warriors" as called by some
Once deployed our weekends never come
24 hours makes one day, 7 days a week
With internet and webcam we get a family "peek"

Some say it's for 9-11
And those poor souls now in Heaven
Others say to free Arab soil
And some whisper "Cheaper oil"

Not one of these is why we're here
Nor did these persuade us to volunteer
Our reasons to be in this foreign place
Is to preserve your freedom with God's grace

We miss those loved ones left
Most of all our country and our life
None of us had asked to die
But freedom's cost can be high

We rise each day with the sun
Wondering if this is like "Viet Nam"
There is but one thing we asked
Please don't treat us as done soldiers passed

And so my very dearest child
Remember always this cost
And as you enjoy your freedom's ride
This soldier is serving you with pride.

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Latest Comments

  • 16 years ago

    by Spirit

    I like the depth of this poem . It's a look at our problems through the eyes of the ones fighting them.

    It's interesting sometimes how involved people can get in problems that there doing nothing about. They complain and complain and wait for someone else to fix everybodies worries.

    Sorry touchy subject.
    Anyway great insight and a lovely read.
    Thank you

  • 16 years ago

    by Katie

    This was a great tribute to our soldiers! Very well done. The flow was great!

  • 16 years ago

    by H E Losey

    TY for the kind words

  • 17 years ago

    by Poet on the Piano

    Beautifully written, this poem is one of my favorite by you. Really shows how much soliders sacrifice for our country, and how much they truly do for us.

    "We miss those loved ones left
    Most of all our country and our life
    None of us had asked to die
    But freedom's cost can be high"

    First line-there should be either a "who" or "that" after "ones". But otherwise, every word here, and in this whole piece, is so heartfelt and touching. Very well-written.

    "Please don"t treat us as done soldiers passed"

    ^There should only be one apostrophe in "don't". And when I read that last part, it didn't make much sense to me. Try rereading it, maybe you should put "that have" after "soliders". Hope this helps, I could just be reading it wrong.

    "And so my very dearest child
    Remember always this cost
    And as you enjoy your freedom's ride
    This soldier is serving you with pride."

    Awww.....this is such a perfect ending. When I was reading each line of this write, it was all so emotional and well-expressed. Keep writing, always and forever....

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