19 Years of Service

"A Young Man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living." - John F. Kennedy

My Beloved just hit 19 years of Military Service. In celebration, I have posted a few unit poems that describe our lives! I love my husbands' dedication. He is a man of strength, integrity, and he commands authority by his dignified demeanor, he treats men fairly, he is a Christian and a mighty warrior! Soldiers call him "IceMan". I call him "My Beloved" (Beloved came from Song of Solomon)

THE SILENT WALK

MANY PEOPLE WE MEET AND NONE WITH A CLUE--
OF THE WAY THAT WE WORKED OR THE WAY THAT WE FLEW
WE CAME WHEN CALLED AND STAYED TILL JOB DONE
IN THE ICE AND THE HEAT IN THE DARK AND THE SUN

A DANGEROUS LIFE IN SECRECY SHROUDED
TOGETHER IN DISTANT HANGERS WE CROWDED
UNTIL THE TIME CAME TO TAKE TO THE AIR
LIVING COMMANDO STORIES WE COULD NEVER SHARE

WE CARRIED THE BEST AND DELIVERED THEM THERE
IN DARKNESS AND SILENCE NO WITNESS TO BEAR
TO THOSE NOT WITHIN OR KEEPING THE FAITH
ONE GLANCE WAS THEIR LAST OF THE FIERY WRAITH

THE QUIET PROFESSIONALS OUR TRIALS IMMENSE
WE'D DIE WITH OUR BROTHERS IN NATIONS DEFENSE
LIKE DRAGONS WITH WINGS OUR DEEDS SEEM A MYTH
FOR IF WE ARE QUESTIONED WE MUST PLEA THE FIFTH

NO LONGER LIVING A LIFE ON THE RAZORS EDGE
OUR DEADLIEST TOOLS FOR TRIMMING THE HEDGE
WE KEEP LOCKED INSIDE THE PLIGHTS OF THE FEW
THOSE DARING YOUNG MEN WHO KNOW NSDQ

WHEN COMMENTS ARE MADE THAT TO MY EAR SOUND NAÏVE
I DON'T FURROW MY BROW NOR ROLL UP MY SLEEVE
IT WAS KNOWN OF OUR MISSION WE COULD NOT TALK
AND SO WE CONTINUE OUR SILENT WALK

D. Kalua

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LNSDQ WIFE

A late night call, it’s time to roll, no time for lengthy good byes

A quick “I love you,” kisses from the kids, Daddy’s gone and the baby cries

He can’t say where he’s going, when he’ll be back no one is sure

That’s the way that my life is, I’m married to a Night Stalker

He goes here and there, literally everywhere, while I keep the home fires burning

Playing both Mom and Dad for a while and reassuring kids that Dad is returning

A week goes by, sometimes a month, filled with worrying and waiting

Some days it gets to be too much, with that there is no debating

But although he’s often gone, I’m never alone, there are others with the same lives

And we are here for each other just because we are Night Stalker wives

With that support I can handle whatever the wind blows my way

So don’t feel sorry for me or the life I lead, I get by day to day

I’m a member of the Army’s game of life and I’m not about to forfeit

I'll continue to play the cards I'm dealt, because LNS Don't Quit!

Vickie K Mitlyng