Dear Sgt. Grit,
As the holidays are approaching, it is easy to get caught up in the chaos that this season brings, and it never ceases to amaze me how quickly people forget about what is really important. Thousands of members of our armed forces our stationed either overseas, or just plain far away from home this Christmas, with no family to celebrate with. I myself have many friends in the various branches, and I know how hard it is for them to be away from home. I wrote this poem last year as a school project, but it turned into a prayer that I keep on my wall, which reminds me daily to pray for our Armed Forces, and to thank them for their sacrifice. I thought I’d share it with you and your readers with the hope that maybe it will inspire or remind them the importance of never taking our freedom and their sacrifice for granted. Wishing you all the best this Christmas season.
Courtney Roberts
A Star Spangled Prayer
Courtney Roberts
?Oh say can you see, by the dawn?s early light?,
But my tears blind my eyes, as my friends march off to fight.
So proud, and so strong, in their brown/green fatigues,
Army, Navy, Air Force, and United States Marines.
Not long ago, we were all here together,
But now we all might be split apart forever.
When they enlisted, they followed their hearts,
Though while they were doing so, they ripped mine apart.
Through the trials of training, they stood bold, they stood brave,
Saluting our ?star-spangled banner,? forever may she wave.
Their resolve ever firm, their oaths resolute,
To defend life and liberty, from the things that pollute.
They wear their uniforms, bright gleams in their eyes,
The ones they?ll be buried in if they happen to die.
Our warriors of freedom, untried and yet so true,
Pledging ?liberty and justice?, instead of ?I do?.
Their future ahead, so much they could be,
But they chose to be soldiers for ?the land of the free?.
I?m proud of my friends, but a part of me is scared,
That I?ll wake one day, and they won?t be there.
So each night ?till they?re home, I kneel and I pray,
?Jesus watch out for our soldiers while they?re far away,
Guard them from the bullets and the bombs which may fall
And in the holes and the trenches, please help when they call.
Guide and protect them, at home or abroad,
Show them your power, our Almighty God.
Surround them with angels; give them your peace,
And please Abba, Father, guard my friends for me.?
