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Tennessee Angel
Senior Member
since 2000-06-03
Posts 661
Tennessee

0 posted 2000-08-22 07:32 PM


Oh, the pride there must have been
for a hundred and eighteen men
as they set out one sunny August day.

For the country of their birth,
they give all that they are worth
and they wouldn't want it any other way.

Kissing all loved ones good-bye,
one or two of them must have cried
though they knew that soon they would return.

With pride they all stood tall,
responding to their nation's call.
Soon they would have the honor for which they yearn.

~ ~ ~ ~

Oh, the horror there must have been
for a hundred and eighteen men
when they realized that something wasn't right.

The prayers they must have prayed
as at the bottom of the sea they stayed,
wondering if they would make it through the night.

With help that was so very near
and a solution so very clear,
a country wanting no one's help at all.

Caring not about the lives wasted
nor of the fear they tasted,
Pride cometh before a fall.

~ ~ ~ ~

Oh, the honor due to them,
those hundred and eighteen men
giving their lives for the country they love.

Though I know not a single name,
I pray for them all just the same,
knowing right now they're watching from above.

Though excuses the leaders do try,
everyone knows where the guilt should lie.
Though they speak, apologies their speeches lack.

Oh, it's a sad world when
a hundred and eighteen men
die for a country that did not love them back.

< !signature-->

--You can either take me as I am...or you can watch me as I go.--



[This message has been edited by Tennessee Angel (edited 08-22-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Stacy - All Rights Reserved
Bill Charles
Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now
1 posted 2000-08-22 07:46 PM


Hi Angel,
A wonderful tribune you have penned, to those one hundred and eighteen men.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
2 posted 2000-08-22 07:55 PM


"Oh it's a sad world when
a hundred and eighteen men
die for a country that did not Love them back."
My son is in the Army in Texas right now...it saddens me to see brave men die...and in this instance a lack of
effort by the leaders quite possibly
contributed to those deaths...because
time was of the essense...
Your soft heart is touching me now...thanks for caring...James

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
3 posted 2000-08-22 09:18 PM


TennesseeAngel~
You've penned a lovely tribute to the memories of those men.

It was a sad, sad event to watch unfold.
I've cried my own tears for the loss ...
I can just imagine the tears of the families.

I'm so touched by your sensitivity.
Very glad you shared this.
~*Marge*~



~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com



Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
4 posted 2000-08-22 10:08 PM


Excellent poem for the occasion, Tennessee....too bad there was an occasion...
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

5 posted 2000-08-22 11:20 PM


This is a wonderful tribute, Angel. Very sad situation. It touched a bit close to home for me as my nephew almost died while in the Coast Guard, trapped underwater...he somehow found himself at an opening in the ship....his friend didn't.

Denise

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