This is a poem being sent from a Marine to his Dad.
                      For those who take the time to read it, you'll see a letter from
                        him to his Dad at the bottom. It makes you truly thankful
                              for not only the Marines, but ALL of our troops.



                                                            THE MARINE
                                                               

 

                                                                     We all came together,
                                                                      Both young and old
                                                                  To fight for our freedom,
                                                                     To stand and be bold.
                                                              

 

                                                                    In the midst of all evil,
                                                                    We stand our ground,
                                                               And we protect our country
                                                                   From all terror around.

                                                                 

 

                                                                     Peace and not war,
                                                                 Is what some people say.
                                                                    But I'll give my life,
                                                          So you can live the American way.

                                                                               

 

                                                                     I give you the right
                                                                  To talk of your peace.
                                                                To stand in your groups,
                                                                and protest in our streets.

                                                     

 

                                                                     But still I fight on,
                                                              I don't bitch, I don't whine.
                                                               I'm just one of the people
                                                                Who is doing your time.

                                                      

 

                                                                  I'm harder than nails,
                                                            Stronger than any machine.
                                                               I'm the immortal soldier,
                                                                 I'm a U.S. MARINE!

                                                     

 

                                                                So stand in my shoes,
                                                            And leave from your home.
                                                       Fight for the people who hate you,
                                                         With the protests they've shown.

                                                                  

 

                                                                Fight for the stranger,
                                                                 Fight for the young.
                                                                So they all may have,
                                                        The greatest freedom you've won.

                                                           

 

                                                                   Fight for the sick,
                                                                   Fight for the poor
                                                                 Fight for the cripple,
                                                                 Who lives next door.

                                                                         

 

                                                            But when your time comes,
                                                                  Do what I've done.
                                                        For if you stand up for freedom,
                                                       You'll stand when the fight's done.

                                                                                         

 

                                           By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert, US Marine Corps
                                                        USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF

                            

                                                                    March 23, 2003

                                                                       Hey Dad,

                                    Do me a favor and label this "The Marine" and send it to
                                    everybody on your email list. Even leave this letter in it. I
                                  want this rolling all over the US; I want every home reading
                                   it. Every eye seeing it. And every heart to feel it. So can you
                                 please send this for me? I would but my email  time isn't that
                               long and I don't have much time anyway. You know what Dad?
                              I wondered what it would be like to truly understand what JFK
                                                       said in His inaugural speech.

                                  "When the time comes to lay down my life for my country,
                                      I do not cower from this responsibility. I welcome it."

                                Well, now I know. And I do. Dad, I welcome the opportunity
                                 to do what I do. Even though I have left behind a beautiful
                               wife, and I will miss the birth of our first born child, I would
                                do it 70 times over to fight for the place that God has made
                               for my home.  I love you all and I miss you very much. I wish
                               I could be there when Sandi has our baby, but tell her that I
                               love her, and Lord willing, I will be coming home soon. Give
                                  Mom a great big hug from me and give one to yourself too.
                                                                        Aaron

                        

                         If this touched you as much as it touched me, please forward it on.
                                         Let's help Aaron's Dad spread the word ...

                                                                               FREEDOM isn't FREE
                                                                                               ... someone pays for you and me.

                                                                          "We can't change the winds but we can adjust our sails."