Dr. James E. MartinA Portfolio of Patriotic and

Military Poetry

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Tribute To A Fallen Soldier

A SOLDIER GAVE HIS LIFE TODAY,AWAY FROM HOME, SO FAR AWAY.HE HAD OFTEN WONDERED HOW IT WOULD ENDAS HE, HIS ENERGY DID ALL EXPEND.

BACK AT HOME HIS FAMILY CANNOT BELIEVETHOSE HORRID WORDS THEY HAD JUST RECEIVED.SO YOUNG WAS HE, YET HOW HE HAD AGEDIN THOSE MANY MONTHS THE WAR HAD RAGED.

HE DIED KNOWING HE HAD DONE HIS BEST.NOW HIS BODY WILL BE LAID TO REST.WILL THE PRICE HE PAID BE REMEMBERED WELL?WHAT WORDS WILL THEY HIS LOVED ONES TELL?

WILL A NATION’S GRATITUDE HIS FAMILY KNOW?FOR THE DEVOTION TO DUTY HE DID SO BRAVELY SHOW.HIS MEMORY WILL LIVE ON THOUGH HE BE GONE,MAY HONOR AND RESPECT BE PROPERLY SHOWN.Copyrighted 2007 by Dr. James E. Martin

SEAL TEAM SIXMay 07, 2011Dr. James E. MartinAmerica was again put to the testAs a brutal man faced some of the best.Though only to a few is your identity knownCourage and skill you've to the world shown.When the order was given you rose to the taskNothing more from this nation could we ask.You've made us again feel pride inside,Proud that in America we safely abide.Though some may challenge our determinationAnd laugh at perceived hesitation,We say to you all loud and clear,You'll not forever stand and cheer.

Justice will be served though sometimes delayedAs is evidenced by what you've recently displayed.America's best -- without a doubt,We salute you brothers and praises shout!!

Red, White, & BlueThe banner of red, white, and blue,Is a beautiful sight, ‘tis true .Endeared by many, scorned by some,Its place in history securely won.Under this banner many proudly serve,From duty they are sworn to never swerve.In distant lands, away from those dear,Overcoming hardship, privations, and fear.Some may still ask why they go.Why do they such devotion show?“The answer is simple,” they proudly say,“We would never have it any other way.”

SEPTEMBER 11On that September morning America cried,As reporters announced that many had died.A reality was awakened down deep inside,A sobering truth that none could hide.A nation that had long known freedom’s cry,Now was witnessing it slip speedily by.That this could happen, many questioned why,As smoke billowed toward the sky.A nation of might and courageous prideHad somehow, by radicals, been angrily defied.Now on a new course all must glide,As new determination must be applied.Gone are the days of openness and trust,A cautious scrutiny by all is a must.Concern that another attack will be thrust,By those who care little for what is right or just.A new resolve in each there must be,For all the world to easily see.Now, more than ever, we should bend the kneeAnd pray for God to keep us free.

A commitment is needed to again stand tall,From calloused memories daily recall.From a pure and sincere heart, on God call,That we will not into oblivion fall.

TRIBUTE TO A DRILL SERGEANTHe stood there as we departed the bus,Nobody but he could make any fuss.First impressions are those that last,And his was certainly made very fast.He seemed larger than any in the crowd.To ensure that all heard, he was very loud.He immediately began barking out commands.Which were heard throughout the land.Speech was heard that was not very cool,Words you had never heard in Sunday school.An atmosphere of command was quickly in place,And to question that authority would bring you disgrace.

Hours quickly turned into days,As we began to learn his ways.To regular hours and regular chow,We readily adapted – somehow.Activities of both mental and physical sort,Required each of us to quickly contort.Impossible it seemed each and every day,To accomplish all that was thrown our way.When it seemed that all energy was spent,Another task from him was sent.To even hint that it could not be done,Was another victory by him won.

Day after day we labored through,Finding things easier to do.As pounds were perhaps lost and more energy found,We came to realize that we were “graduation” bound.The obstacle course was one final testTo discover ourselves at our best.He stood there laughing as we would crash,Or into the mud sometimes splash.Finally, it all came to an end,And that last day with him we would spend.To finally realize that it was really doneAnd the impossible race had been well run.

Looking back after these many years,With much satisfaction, and occasionally with tears,That man who once seemed to have no heart,Gave to many a fresh, new start.copyrighted 2008 by Dr. James E. Martin