This poem was apparently found in the pocket of a dead Marine in Iraq.

Take a man and put him alone,
put him twelve thousand miles from home.
Empty his heart of all but his blood,
make him live in sweat, in mud.
This is the life I have to live,
this the soul to the Devil I give.
You have your parties and drink your beer,
while young men are dying over here.
Plant your signs on the White House lawn;
"Lets get out of Vietnam".
Use your signs and have your fun,
then refuse to use a gun.
There's nothing else for you to do,
then I'm supposed to die for you.
There is one thing that you don't know;
and that's where I think you should go!
I'm already here and it's too late.
I've traded all my love just for hate.
I'll hate you till the day I die.
You made me hear my buddy cry.
I saw his leg and his blood shed,
then I heard them say "This one's dead".
It was a large price for him to pay,
to let you live another day.
He had the guts to fight and die,
to keep the freedom you live by.
By his dying your life he buys,
but who gives a DAMN if a Marine dies!

I care. I would join if I could, but they won't take me.

(((Karma)))))

I care,, for these Men and Women put thier lives on the line for us each and everyday,,, Its our duty to show them Love & Respect,,,

I agree with you whole heartedly LAMom. If only others out there would think that way.

A crippled Navy man. I have to live. While others died in front of my eyes. We don't exist. We are scum based by the VA, VFW and more. I live to say F you! I have a job! I can live even when you want me to die and forget!

if u are talking about our government and many ppl in this world..u are right..they don't care..
I work for the military..I speak with many,who have given 15 plus yrs...they are being deployed.they aren't being taken out of Iraq..its all bull****..these soldiers have told me the truth...
They are in pain.terrible pain..
Pray for them and their safty.Pray for their families that love them and want them to come home alive.
Zanne

its time to bring them home in peace

I'm an Honerable Veteran from 101st Airborne Div.Well my hometown recruiter is just danceing a jig attempiting to bring me back into the fold.I told them they can kiss my A#$ & so can that idiot Bush=(oil wealth agenda)with all of his underlying agenda's,lies etc.that he's feeding the gen.public.2 many reasons here to mention K.But my brothers & sisters need to come home immediately period.We're not some world saviour,look at the counless list of serious prob.'s we have on our own plate at home here.Ummm!priorties people.Hmm!.You think they give a rats a#$ about our soldiers over in raghead land.I think not.Trillions being spent,over 3,000 casualties & cont.climbing.1000's injured receiving inadequte care.Ill prepared,non combat ready status w/trans,weapons,body armor.etc.BRING THEM ALL HOME IMMEDIATELY.Bush=PLEASE!How stupid & naive do U really think the american public are?Sorry for the rant,but NAY! on IRAQ.BOO!:+( Godspeed!Cybear 101st Airborne Soldier.My prayers to my Brothers & Sisters.Amen!

It's a poem. Not a political statement.
It expresses the emotions of the author not politics.

I can plainly see that it is a poem.And I don't believe that my comments were taken out of context concerning it either.You don't think this material is going to heighten the emotions of any given soldier or veteran for that matter.

It's been going on to long,it's time to bring them home,no more loss of life.Then went they get home they don't get the proper care they deserve,and personally I'm sick of it too.I honor and respect each and every one,but it's time to bring them home.

I work at the military base.i may only clean their homes caus they are being sent else were with their families.But when they get there.They are being deployed and leaving again and agian from their wives and children.
Yes a poem..but it stikes a nerve.It is painful for the ones who truely know what is going on.Our veterns etc and the ones who have spent a life time serving.They all tell me.The government doesn't care.They aren't pulling any one out.They are sending many many more over there.
So for us who here the real truth day in and day out...the ones who truely understand the situation because they have been in the militarty in their life time for a life time.
We take this poem to heart.we are in pain.We are in pain deeply for those going who no longer want to.And for our young who think they understand.
Cyber07.I love u.U are the best of the best.
Zanne
thank u

My appologies Karma. My appologies.

Polson, no reason to apologize. I've heard about the problems with VA etc. Just know that there are those that do care about what has happened and continues to happen to military personnel.

Cybear, I know that it's likely to raise emotions. But I believe that the author meant it for the average person on the street not the politicos. Soldiers of any nation know how they rate in the eyes of a politician.

Spoo! Poison not Polson.

I have problems with my left forearm in which i took a bullet, as well as a shattered knee, I get prompt care when needed , I have had no problems recieving my care or meds, in fact, if they ask I would easily do another tour.

God Bless our Troops

We should all remember not to let what they do in vain.
they do this for you and me so we can have this freedom we have.