American Soldier Poems (9/11 show)

[Tobymac]

1 This man is a specimen of valor/
He has guns with great firepower/
If you piss this guy off/
He'll rip your head off/
And this may cause your mood to turn sour!

2

He wore shorts and a hat
He knelt over his flowers
His skin was very tan
From being outside for hours

She read her new e-mail
Sitting in her P.J.s
Laughing at the kittens
And reading through the days

He wore a pinstripe suit
Shoes shined so bright
He haggled over money
He traded throught the night

The bugle sounded loud
They turned their heads toward
They stripped themselves of comfort
And march into the war

They wore their uniforms proud
Marched through mud, rain, and heat
Cuts and tears they gathered
Weary were their feet

Guns and bombs they carried
Boots caked with blood and dirt
Fallen friends they carried
Praying they would return unhurt

The day had come at last
They could all go back
March back to somewhere
No worry of an attack

They donned their old lives
Returned with no surprise
I could tell they were different
I could see it in their eyes

They saw the fallen and the bodies
They been told to kill in the fight
"It was them or us!" they tell themselves
Just to sleep at night

Others may not recognize them
Few would have a clue
But those of us who've been there
Know what they had to do

A soldier looks like you and I
A human to be sure
The diference is in our minds
And what we had to endure
-- "Recognition"

3

One Name

He stands tall in the mists,
armed from his boots to his fists.
His chest is broad, his chin is bare.
His enemies should be scared.
He carries just a pistol and knife
both capable of taking a life.
He fights with a heart of pride
that beats under his chest so wide.
He battles without concern for himself
Saving people at the price of health.
He's lost flesh, blood and bone,
but refuses to return alone.

Leave no man behind, he will yell
as falls from the sky a final shell.
His sacrifice will forever remain
an a wall with too many a name.

4



Skilled U.S. Soldier/
Clad in Camouflage armor/
Grins and draws his gun.

Courageous soldier/
Draws his gun and stands in wait/
His foes stand no chance!

[fluxxdog]

"Recognition" is for those who've fought and bled for their people and then try to return to normal life. Stand tall, soldiers, you've gone through hell. Nowhere to go but up.