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No True Glory

Semper Fi Sgt.Grit,

Last year I read the book “No True GloryA Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah” by retired Marine Corps General Bing West. What a truly stirring retelling of the latest of many epic battles executed by the Marine Corps. It was a story that needs to be told and retold. The last paragraph of this great piece of work deeply moved me; “In The Illiad a warrior in the front ranks turned to his companion and said, “let us win glory for ourselves, or yield it to others.” For Greek warriors, there was no true glory if they were not remembered afterward in poem or in song. There will be no true glory for our soldiers in Iraq until they are recognized not as victims, but as aggressive warriors. Stories of their bravery deserve to be recorded and read by the next generation. Unsung, the noblest deed will die.” A chill literally went down my spine when I read that and immediately after putting the book down I wrote the following poem summerizing the story:

No True Glory
by Cpl. DeJohn

No true glory was given to the men,
who fought in Fallujah, a terrorist den.

A cauldron of hatred and evil lived here,
and Marines were again at the tip of the spear.

Zarqawi’s base camp was Fallujah’s cancer,
and rooting it out was the only answer.

Neither politics nor patience could change this course,
so the order was given to eliminate the source.

Both Marines and Army fought side by side,
to crush a cruel enemy and to turn the tide.

Battalions 1/8, 1/3, 3/1, and 3/5,
the Army’s 2-7, and 2-2 went into the hive.

Brave heroes were made as the battle did unfold,
but due to media bias, these tales were not told.

Casualties and Abu Ghraib was instead the news du jour,
with very few exceptions the reporting of valor was poor.

Many were wounded and many did die,
Brothers in arms, they won’t be denied.

For warriors of the past there was no true glory,
if there were no songs or poems to tell their brave story.

Unsung, the noblest deeds will surely die.
To the men who fought this historic battle, we salute youSemper Fi.

This was my way to ensure that these brave warriors are never forgotten. I understand that Bing West has plans to make his book into a movie that he will be overseeing. That way Hollywood hopefully won’t butcher it by twisting the facts. I also understand that his plans for this movie are under attack from those who would rather criticize the military and the heroism attached to it. I hope that this is not true and if it is that this movie is made regardless. I’m sure that it will be comperable to other great movies that capture the spirit or heoism, patriotism and sacrifice such as “Black Hawk Down” and “We Were Soldiers”. Pass the word for this story to be told. Semper Fi.

Cpl. Daniel P. DeJohn
Wpns. Co. Dragons Plt. 1/6
Operation Desert Storm
’89-’93

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