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He Just Wanted To Be A Soldier (Re-Post In Reminder Of Human Cost Of Iraq War After 4 Years)
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Open Poetry #40
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He Just Wanted To Be A Soldier (Re-Post In Reminder Of Human Cost Of Iraq War After 4 Years)
| Open Poetry #40 |
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He Just Wanted To Be A Soldier (Re-Post In Reminder Of Human Cost Of Iraq War After 4 Years) |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
(This is a heartwrenching ballad re-post in memory of my dearest cousin Jeremy Shank, who died in combat in Iraq last September, which was one of the most difficult songs I've ever written in the emotional weight channeling throughout it.  I re-post this on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq not by the means of exploiting his loss in any way, but to remind everyone of whose lives are on the line down there, and I remain outraged at the lack of leadership both this administration and Congress have towards seeking an exit strategy and safe return for all our young men and women down there, who are literally vulnerable every single moment because of their general inaction. The best way to support our troops is to save our troops, not bog them down further in the middle of an escalating civil war, as I don't want to have to hear any more heartbreaking stories like this that could have been prevented if only this administration and this Congress put principle over politics. God Bless our young men and women in uniform, and I pray each day for their safe return, and that no one else's child here serving overseas will face the same tragic fate my cousin did. )*  He Just Wanted To Be A Soldier By: Noah Eaton 9/17/06 There was a young man, inhearsed in uncertain times, growing up in a one-horse town, down on Odus Drive, when he was younger, he had a couple scrapes with the law, living as if there was no tomorrow, beyond his front lawn. Patrolling his hometown streets, with a toy pistol in his jeans, chugging whole gallons of milk, on Starzinger Fields with his football team, tied rubber bands around the nozzles, of the kitchen sink, placing sheets of cellophane, atop the toilet seat… Spending his life, to turn his life around, admiring his neighborhood, like his own fairground, looking for a fair shake, to get off the ground, feeling he was about to swill down, this whole town… . . . Paying his reverences, to his heroes at Russell Heights, felt them move him forthright about their sacrifice, so he finished high school early, and picked up an equivalency degree, and became an American soldier, when he was seventeen. I hear many question, what put him to the task, why would you want, to tie yourself to that mast, who bravely dares must sometimes risk a fall, from what I understand, he just wanted to be a soldier, is that too much to ask? . . . He was stationed overseas, for at least a year, he was scared up to his elbows, but he persevered, until one September morning, during a dismounted security patrol, his whole entire life, took a tragic, fatal blow. I hear many question, what put him to the task, to want to spill your blood, on a general’s behalf, I felt the answer in the breeze, the day the flags hung half-staff, he just wanted to be a soldier, is that too much to ask? They say being gone, makes you really appreciate home, when a whole town has a son, you know you’ll never be alone, his father asked the reverend, there’s this riddle in the void he can’t apprehend, and he said, "greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life, FOR HIS FRIENDS…” . . . . . . . He’s got a fiance in Millersville, he planned on marrying last November, she still feels his deep love, betwixt each of borrowed time's embers. There was a young man, inhearsed in uncertain times… . . . growing up in a one-horse town, down on Odus Drive… . . . I hear many question, what put him to the task, to want to spill your blood, on a general’s behalf, I felt the answer in the breeze, the day the flags hung half-staff, he just wanted to be a soldier, is that too much to ask? I see many paying their reverences, to his grave at Russell Heights, where he used to honor his new neighbors, of their sacrifice, and in the distance there’s a young boy, standing there on the silent field, dreaming to be like him, and take up the sword and shield… . . HE JUST WANTED TO BE A SOLDIER… . . HE JUST WANTED TO BE A SOLDIER… . . HE JUST WANTED TO BE A SOLDIER… . . ALL HE WANTED, WAS TO BE A SOLDIER… . . HE JUST WANTED TO BE A SOLDIER… . . HE JUST WANTED TO BE A SOLDIER… . . HE JUST WANTED TO BE A SOLDIER… . . ALL HE WANTED, WAS TO BE A SOLDIER… . . . . . . . . . . . . . "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" Mother Teresa |
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| © Copyright 2007 Nadia Lockheart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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jak Member
since 2007-03-14
Posts 85Charlotte, NC |
very harmonious. Jak |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Dear Noah, your words are deeply touching and I agree with what you say. "To be a soldier" even in an action for freedom, sadly and too often becomes synonimous for death. Very profound tribute to your cousin and to those who miss him. May People see the dramatic truth and work for change. Love, Margherita |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
Noah, Sodiers fight and die for their friends. And they ussually better understand than anyone outside why. Semper Fi John |
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Blairsvilleman Junior Member
since 2007-02-05
Posts 35North Georgia Near Murphy NC |
They do this thing for us. They stand guard on the wall. They take the fight away from our soil. I have two Marine Sons, one is home the other is going back again. I am so proud of them, just as i am so proud of your friend and everyone of them that step between us and danger! Semper Fi |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
For family, friends and for strangers. Semper Paratus. JL  Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. ~Jesus Christ |
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Janette
since 2001-07-20
Posts 2843Chicagoland for now |
This deeply touched me. I have a son who is a Marine, too, although he is not in Iraq ... Phew! always seeking joy, adventure and romance and wishing you find the same |
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scorpio Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178right...there |
A very thought provoking tribute Noah. believe in what your heart feels... |
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He Just Wanted To Be A Soldier (Re-Post In Reminder Of Human Cost Of Iraq War After 4 Years)
