I've watched enough military movies to know that, time is the most valuable asset.
One day, you're swapping bullets and the next day, you're drowning in them.
I know that every time you pick up a gun, you're holding death.
I know that every bullet is a phone call to home from your commanding officer telling your family how outstanding your service to your country has been.

Every soldier, every partner is a life on its own.
Every man for themselves because when I get killed, we can't swap places so instead we swap stories of our life cause we know that soon it's going to end.
Every mission is a doorway to a head shot, so you use your head so you don't get shot.
You assume position in the safest place only to be found by a ****** that marks you with a laser the same color as your blood, so there's no surprise when this ****** takes you out.

You served well, soldier. But your battle is over.

I got a letter from the government
A week back, Tuesday morning
It came in a grey envelope
It was stamped with a red warning

The envelope was tattered
And the words were inked in red
To be opened by recipient
That was all it said

I checked the name typed on there
It was mine, so I could see
John Augustus Reed
Beale Street, Unit 43

I opened it and sat right down
I had been drafted so it said
I had to report on Thursday
I heard a ringing in my head

I didn't understand it all
To me it made no sense
This plain grey mottled envelope
Sent from my government

I followed the instructions
And showed up promptly at the place
Something was asunder
I could tell from the man's face

I showed him my draft letter
Explained, I didn't understand
He looked at it and laughed a bit
This wasn't what I'd planned

He said son, is this you
Are you John Augustus Reed
I told him I'm John Junior
He said that's all the news I need

This letter is a glitch, boy
It wasn't meant for you
It was sent out to your father
Back in nineteen seventy two

Somehow it was mangled
Got lost along the way
Until somebody found it
And you got it on that day

I'm glad you chose to come here
Showed up exactly when it said
But, I think you now can go on home
I think it's best, instead

It's amazing how one letter
And you can take this to the bank
Can fill a man with honor
For that I must give thanks.

मानसि खिखौ मुगैनायबादि रांखोखौ बुगालिया मुगैथारो।
जाहोना जाबाय रांखोनि महरा साबा,
आरो सासे नंखाय बैनानै जाग्रा दाहोनाबावसो।
बुगालिया बिउथि, जोबोद बिउथि।
भुटाननि नांदेरनायबादि गुफुर।
आखल आखुखौ बुङाब्लाबो जागोन।
गोसोथोनायाबो गैया नङा दंखायो बेहा।
सोरबा माहाजोननि फिसाफोरबो जानो हागौ।
नाथाय गोजाननिफ्रायनो रांखोखौ नुब्ला नायनो हाया बुगालिया।
थेवबो सान्नांगौआ बेसो जाबाय-
सानसेखालि बुगालिया रावबो गैयै समाव (हरनि सममोन) रांखोखौ बुंबाय-
" आदा आं जोबोद गिदोँ!
दामानि आर्मिफोर फैगासिनोथार।
आं दिनै नोँजोँसो उन्दुगोन।"
उन्दुमारदोँबो नंखाय नङा दर फांथेलायनानै।

A month ago I sat in class
in a New England School for boys
Now, I'm in a bomber group
Adjusting to the noise

I made plans for Harvard
A doctor, I would be
Then my life would turn
In a way I didn't see

The war was on in Europe
We saw in the press
But, 18 days before Christmas
we were pulled into the mess

Future plans were put aside
Our country we'd support
We'd forget all of our future thoughts
We'd join, though not for sport

We signed up down in Boston
Young men flyers, soldiers all
Preparing for a battle
Many would not live till fall

We thought not of our future
Our present, all we had
Many dead by Christmas next
The thought is truly sad

You do not what you want to
But, what needs to be done
You go from boy to man so fast
You've barely walked...now run

Think back on those who made it
Remember who did not
Young men they are forever
They deserve a longer thought

The air is pure and holy
It is scattered with young souls
Boys, now men who went to war
And put aside their goals

Sitting, in the living room
my old granddad and me
another soldier dying
On our sixty inch tv

I didn't understand it
But granddad looked at me
his eyes were full and teary
he said , because of him we're free

Freedom comes in many forms
Where soldiers have to die
They're hero's after they are gone
Not before, and I ask WHY?

Grandad, wiped his tears away
He got up, and left the room
He was back a moment later
His smile in full bloom

Son, he said, just look at this
He had a scrapbook in his hands
It's full of those who fought for us
And they all died in different lands

I shed a tear each time I see
Another hero made
They fight to keep our freedom
And now to rest are laid

I sat and watched with granddad
On another night and cried
I understood the meaning
when another soldier died

Freedom comes in many forms
Where soldiers have to die
They're hero's after they are gone
Not before, and I ask WHY?

I love him dearly but his heart is set on the danger field of bullets and war.

I wish I could change his mind but his heart is set on going. I will always stand by him and be the girl he is always thinking about and wanting to go home to again. I will be waiting for him at home and supporting him the whole way. When you love someone you want them to be happy even if that means you aren't.  You would do anything for the ones you love. If he is happy leaving to the danger field and leaving his home, that is his choice. Even though I may not agree with it, it makes him happy and that's all that matter when it comes to who you love. I loved him from day one. I'll stand and wait for him to return. My love will never fade.

Nine months of wanting to be somewhere else
A quest and yearning for home
A countdown of days
Waiting and waiting
Surviving and avoiding death
Every day that passes
A little bit closer to home
Knowing my son is growing in my absence
Wondering if I will see him again
Will he grow up like me?
Without a dad?

Finally home
But things don't feel the same
Like looking through a stained glass window
Familiar faces
Familiar places
But distorted and untrue
Home doesn't feel like home anymore
I feel out of place
And don't know what to do

People ask me if I'm fine
But I lie through a feigned smile
I realize I can't relate to anyone anymore
And especially
That they can't relate to me at all

I am alone
Surrounded by the people that love me

People thank me for my service
But I feel guilty for surviving
When others didn't