Robin Said:

Does anyone know any poems, short stories, or songs related to military life?

We Answered:

Keeping it on an acceptable level for seventh graders would be the hardest part. There are things that the military is responsible for enduring that I wouldn't want my childred exposed to at that point in life. We endure it so they don't have to.

I'll give you some poems that I like, and that I think are an accurate reflection - not a glorification or a sugar-coating. I'll trust your judgement to sort through them, and decide if you would like to use any.

If these poems seem a little morbid, remember the words of General Lee: "It is well that war is so terrible -- lest we should grow too fond of it."


Weapons
There are many types of weapons
But the ones that hurt the most
Are the weapons made of memories
And the deadly midnight ghost
Not all wounds are red and bloody
There are wounds that touch the mind
These are wounds that always fester
They're the never healing kind
Why are we who've done our duty
Plagued by wounds that never heal
Made by weapons of our memories
Which are worse than lead and steel


Medals
Don't envy a man his medals
All those ribbons on his chest
He did not try to get them
They're not there at his request
They were earned in stinking hell holes
Where no man would like to go
Or in cold and wintry places
Where there's only ice and snow
He did not know he earned them
Till they were awarded at parade
And they were bright when he first got them
But in time the colors fade
He was told he had to wear them
And to wear them all with pride
But when the memories come to haunt him
Those same medals make him hide
Cause those medals will not bring back
All those guys he left behind
And he would trade them all forever
For a little peace of mind
So don't envy a man his medals
You don't want to take his place
Thinking back to long gone battles
And meeting dead friends face to face


Veterans Day 1998
This week the flags will wave again
We'll march down a city street
We'll try to keep the cadence
With grown old two left feet
We're veterans who have served our land
In places far and wide
Today we will be smiling
We won't show the hurt inside
The land that we all fought for
Is changing day by day
The people just don't seem to care
As their freedoms slip away
The Constitution was once sacred
A document held dear
Our founding fathers gave to us
A message once so clear
Now lying is accepted
And other things as bad
But we will show our smiles today
Pretend that we are glad
We will be with our brothers
And yes our sisters too
We ones who wore the uniform
And kept our honor true
We fought to keep this country free
Were our battles all in vain
My land,my country 'tis of thee
Can we be free again ?

Soldier's Eyes
To look into a Soldier's eyes,
the window to their soul.
Look out from inside their mind,
and see the horrors never told.

You say that we are just killers,
it's not that plain you see.
Take a walk inside my boots,
and see what I have seen.

Many innocent lives taken;
and Soldiers, there were some.
Giving their life freely,
to get the mission done.

The last cold stare of death,
we see in our buddies eyes.
They fought for all your freedom,
this is why we die.

Some wonder why we fight:
To protect this nation, and maybe lose our life.
Ask this question to a Soldier,
the answers are in their eyes.

We'll always be here waiting,
the call we will not deny.
We'll always fight for freedom,
never asking why.

We'll go away to far off lands ,
leaving our loved ones behind.
Many times we die alone,
several times inside.

Open windows to our soul,
see the tears we hide.
Secrets that we cannot keep,
are in a Soldier's Eyes

-SGT Justin M. Edwards

I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness, should I fail. I have seen the face of terror, felt the stinging cold of fear, and enjoyed the sweet taste of moments of love. I have cried, pained, and hoped, but most of all I have lived times others would say are best forgotten. At least one day I will be able to say I was proud of what I was – A SOLDIER!

A Soldier's Grave
Only a soldier's grave! Pass by,
For soldiers, like other mortals, die.
Parents had he -- they are far away;
No sister weeps o'er the soldier's clay;
No brother comes, with tearful eye;
It's only a soldier's grave -- pass by.

True, he was loving, and young, and brave,
Though no glowing epitaph honors his grave;
No proud recital of virtues known,
Of griefs endured, or triumphs won;
No tablet of marble, or obelisk high; --
Only a soldier's grave: -- pass by.

Yet bravely he wielded his sword in fight,
And he gave his life in the cause of right!
When his hope was high, and his youthful dream
As warm as the sunlight on yonder stream;
His heart unvexed by sorrow or sigh; --
Yet, 'tis only a soldier's grave: - pass by.

Yet, we should mark it -- the soldier's grave,
Some one may seek him in hope to save!
Some of the dear ones, far away,
Would bear him home to his native clay:
'Twere sad, indeed, should they wander nigh,
Find not the hillock, and pass him by.

-S.A. Jones

Take a look at "I Was A Soldier" following this link:
http://www.iwillsoaragain.com/SubmittedP…
I would call this accurate as well.

Jack Said:

Any English native speaker could be my speaking practice partner?

We Answered:

Very interested Id love to help. I really like english. I live in the U.S. so its natural to me...if you could help me just on the basics of Chinese, it would be so great. :) E-mail me at amofber@yahoo.com and let me know how to help

Willie Said:

What is my likelihood of getting into an IVY LEAGUE school?

We Answered:

I know a lot about this stuff because i have the same dream as you. your ready, your perfect. be proud of all the things you are doing, but don't ever be over confident. have back up Ivy leagues just in case, but you will probably will get in to Princeton or something. dont worry and follow your dreams! your discription sounds great! good luck