American Warrior

“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.