Respect Our Soldiers

He had just turned eighteen
No where close to being a man
With no idea what would happen
But yet he was sent to pakastan

His heart was pumping faster
not knowing what was next
He might turn into a killer
For now his nerves was a mess

He could not for see the future
But, he'd serve his country well
For months he'd be homeless
Living in that desert hell

His camo and back pack
Added up to a lot of extra weight
But he had to keep it all together
For, it just might mean his fate

He prayed to God above
Every morning and every night
Should he come across the enemy
Well then he'd have no choice but fight

His family way back home
Waited on his every letter
And with each one they recieved
Helped lift burdens like a feather

His buddies in his platoon
Became his new family
They had each others backs
When it came down to the enemy

No one knows where they may be
From one day to the next
Sometimes they could get service
And with their cells send on a text

Sometimes at night
His friends could hear him weep
As he laid there missing home
And often cry his self to sleep

But they all understood
They have done the same things too
They all missed their loved ones
Though they carried pictures it's true

Sometimes he'd sit and clean his gun
It could mean all the difference
Between life and death of course
Should he have to cross that fence

Some may call them all killers
Though, they are fighting for our rights
Of those that can't respect them
Need tried for treason, by right

So, let's have some respect
For every one of our soldier friends
No matter what war that they served in
They deserve our respect , my friend

Written 3/5/2014 by Norman Hale Jr.