“Serving still that we may be free”

AMERICAN VETERAN Dr. James E. Martin, MSgt

U S Air Force, Retired

©November, 2011

We fought in the jungles of Viet Nam,

We sailed the South China Sea.

We stormed the beaches of Normandy,

We served that men may be free.

We persevered through trying times,

Endured the scorn of some.

We watched our buddies lose their limbs,

Many never made it home.

In Iraqi Freedom and Desert Storm

We again answered the call.

Many sleepless nights in the heat,

And again, many gave their all.

We‘re American Veterans, and proudly so.

We care not for glory or fame.

We simply desire common respect,

There‘s surely, in this, no shame.

In future days more wars will be fought,

Young folks will be challenged still. The American Veteran will again stand tall

And conquer through determined will.

SEAL TEAM SIX ©May 07, 2011 Dr. James E. Martin America was again put to the test As a brutal man faced some of the best. Though only to a few is your identity known Courage and skill you've to the world shown. When the order was given you rose to the task Nothing 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 determination And 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 delayed As is evidenced by what you've recently displayed. America's best -- without a doubt, We salute you brothers and praises shout!!

THE GREEN BERET ©Dr. James E. Martin, MSGT U S Air Force, Retired To be among the best Was the lad’s earnest desire. He rose above the rest In his soul there was fire. He understood well The severity of the test. To him it was swell To pursue this great quest. He vigorously stayed the course, He endured all the pain. Himself he did force To from quitting refrain. Graduation day finally came, The ceremony, it was grand. Not longing for fortune or fame, With proud peers he did stand. Smartly placed on his head Was the beret of beautiful green. Nothing more need be said, All was proudly now seen. At attention he proudly stood, With a very swollen chest. It was now understood, He was with America’s best.

TO BE AN AMERICAN

©Dr. James E. Martin

To be an American is something grand,

As witnessed from a distant land.

The quality of life we enjoy here,

Is surely something that we should hold dear.

Many complain within these doors,

Who have never traveled to distant shores.

They have never seen the poverty and pain,

As in so many places misery reigns.

If life is so horrible in this place,

Why do so many to these shores race?

Is it as bad as is commonly reported?

Or have some carelessly, the facts distorted?

From one who has been privileged to many places see,

There is no place on earth I would rather be.

These blessings on which we have grown to depend,

I trust that we all will eagerly defend.

Surrendered to a mission bold,

Soldiers -- usually not very old.

Prepared for battles, extremely tough,

Promising to give more than enough.

Enlisted with a purposed will,

Enthusiastically taking the targeted hill.

Cautiously waiting for the moment right,

Committed to curtailing the enemy’s

fight.

Intent on following lawful commands,

Involved in many distant lands.

Above and beyond is their creed,

Adamant while watching a buddy bleed.

Laboring often in unheard of places,

Living routinely in uncomfortable

places.

Forged on the anvil of rugged trail

Forgetting the option to ever fail.

Only a few ever make the grade,

Often the supreme price is paid.

Rugged individuals are they all,

Rigid in stance, standing tall.

Courage they are putting to a severe test,

Consistently proven to be America’s best.

Elite is often to them ascribed,

Even when being quietly described.

So give honor to those to whom it is due,

Since most cannot do what they daily do.

SPECIAL FORCES

©Dr. James E. Martin

Being a good soldier is a lofty aspiration.

Achievement of this goal brings high admiration.

This purpose should be one‘s determination,

Gratitude will result from a proud nation.

To see this high and lofty end,

Attention to detail must one lend.

Devotion to duty must he never bend,

Loud and clear must this message he send.

Above and beyond is his call,

Careful to never in disgrace fall.

Proudly with his peers standing tall,

Confidence and courage he shows to all.

A GOOD SOLDIER

©Dr. James E. Martin

The 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.‖

RED, WHITE, & BLUE

©Dr. James E. Martin

Soldier—What a noble name!

Worn by many with historic fame.

Whether Army, or Navy, whichever you choose,

Never your pride should you lose.

Perhaps Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard it be,

Stand tall and ridicule always flee!

To serve this nation wherever you are sent,

To complete the mission, all energy spent.

To return home knowing you have done your best,

Is to have passed the ultimate test.

To know others can live free because you served,

Is a badge won, and well deserved!

Though many may not understand,

There are duties that go with living in this land.

To be willing to go and the uniform wear,

Is an honor that many through the ages will share.

A SOLDIER

©Dr. James E. Martin

A sailor was all he ever wanted to be,

As a youngster this was all he could see.

At night he would dream of amazing things,

And hope that some day he could realize his dreams.

To be on a carrier he could not forget,

Or perhaps a frigate, or a small corvette.

Whichever of these the Navy would choose,

He did not want his opportunity to lose.

He hoped that his dream was not just a whim,

There was no doubt that he knew how to swim.

Finally he realized his dream come true,

He proudly attired himself in Navy blue.

Weeks turned into months, months into years

As he proudly served and made a career.

That day finally came that he did so long dread,

“It’s been a great life,” he proudly said.

As he put on his uniform that final time,

More satisfaction he knew he would never find.

Those ships he had dreamed of as a boy,

His sailing on all three brought him great joy.

THE SAILOR

©Dr. James E. Martin

A SOLDIER GAVE HIS LIFE TODAY,

AWAY FROM HOME, SO FAR AWAY.

HE HAD OFTEN WONDERED HOW IT WOULD END

AS HE, HIS ENERGY DID ALL EXPEND.

BACK AT HOME HIS FAMILY CANNOT BELIEVE

THOSE HORRID WORDS THEY HAD JUST

RECEIVED.

SO YOUNG WAS HE, YET HOW HE HAD AGED

IN 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.

TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN SOLDIER

©Dr. James E. Martin

They came from all over the land,

Some very young, others old.

There was in them all something grand,

That needs to be continually told.

That ―something‖ that in them all was found,

That simply could not be obscured,

Was a devotion to duty and honor profound

That to the end endured.

In Asia, Europe, Africa, and more,

They answered their country‘s call.

And there on foreign, distant shore

They courageously, silently did fall.

There still are some whose remains

The location of which only God is sure.

The freedoms that they died to obtain

Prayerfully will forever endure.

Gratitude is to them surely due,

If it could be properly expressed.

This, obviously, we cannot do

Except by public address.

SOME GAVE ALL

©Dr. James E. Martin

He 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 test

To 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 done And 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.

Tribute To A Drill Sergeant

©Dr. James E. Martin

The memories of a veteran are as varied as can be,

Some involve sorrow, others genuine glee.

To have learned new things and seen new places

While trying to put names to remembered faces.

To have given your all and passed the test

Brings joy in knowing that you have done your best.

At other times, however, to have tried and failed

Yet, in the end to have still prevailed.

On some missions wondering how you had made it through,

Accomplishing what few had the courage to do.

Sometimes, regardless of how hard you would try,

You would find yourself unable to do anything but cry.

Upon learning that a buddy had given his life

In the heat of battle, amidst unbelievable strife.

Some of these things that a warrior must endure

Puts metal in his backbone, that is for sure. To ask one if he would ever do it again, Many would affirm without any spin. To have succeeded in defeating a menacing foe Makes one eager to again go. A few made the choice to from duty flee Thinking that in another country they could be free. The freedom they enjoyed in their cowardly state, Is to most of us, however, a miserable fate. The service of no two was exactly the same, Most never experienced prestige or fame. They went and stayed till the job was done, Then returned home for their day in the sun.

ON HAVING SERVED ©Dr. James E. Martin

He fulfills his duties day after day

As he continues to serve so far away.

He remembers so well, those back at home

And tries to not focus on his being alone.

He longs for the day when he can return

And the pleasures of home he can ―relearn.‖

He has been for so long in that distant land,

He has almost forgotten home‘s joys, so grand.

For those of us who cannot be by his side

Will thoughts for him in our hearts abide?

Will we remember him in our prayer?

Will we express that for him we care?

As another Christmas draws ever near

And the joys abound with festivities and cheer

Let us not forget those many so brave

Who daily risk death and the grave.

CHRISTMAS IN IRAQ7 DECEMBER, 2007

The tradition goes on,

With son number two.

To all he has shown

He will soon say, ―I do!‖

With uplifted hand,

And to oath‘s commitment,

Attentively he will stand

And begin his enlistment.

Following in the steps of brother and dad,

In service to a country so grand,

Experiencing the joys that they have had

He will get to see first hand.

As your uniform you wear,

Wherever you may go,

Do not ever falter, or despair

Nor your pride to others not show.

Someday when your journey comes to an end,

And you, like me, will reminisce,

You will also, hopefully, this message send,

―It is something I will always miss!‖

AIR FORCE FAMILY [TO TOM FROM DAD]

©Dr. James E. Martin