QW: Soldier vs Civilian

"The moral difference between a soldier and a civilian is that the soldier accepts personal responsibility for the safety of the body politic of which he is a member. The civilian does not."

- Robert Heinlein

from the book Starship Troopers

PW - THE SILENT RANKS

I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens

But I am in the Army in the ranks rarely seen

I have no rank upon my shoulders - salutes I do not give

But the military world is the place where I live

I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get

But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget

I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line

But my job is just as tough. I'm the one that's left behind

My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man

And the call to serve his country not all can understand

Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free

My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me

I love the man I married, Soldiering is his life

But I stand among the silent ranks known as the Army Wife

- Mrs Henry Potter -

the RCD

QW: War & Deception

"All warfare is based on deception."

- Sun Tzu, The Art of War

PW - Thoughts of a Soldier

Ole Jack Layton ~ Thoughts From A Soldier
Dear Jack Layton,

You sit there in your quiet home, no fear is in your heart,
You sleep soundly certain that it won't be blown apart.
Your children they can go to school and play out in the park,
They've never seen a bomb explode, heard air raids in the dark.

They've never seen dead bodies piled up on the street,
Your wife, she won't be beaten, treated like a piece of meat.

You are free to form opinions, read any news print you can see,
You enjoy your rights and privileges in this country wide and free.

The reason you can live like that is because I fight your wars,
I fight and push the enemy back, I keep them off our shores.

I am here and you are there pretending you know best.
Well Ole Jack now listen close while I get this off my chest.

You have the right to criticize, you have the right to complain
You don't have the right to drag me down in a stupid political game.

The thing about your rights Ole Jack, the part you can't comprehend
Is you work in the very system, the democracy I defend.
I stand on fences around the world protecting those that need it,
It is not for you to determine Jack whether or not it's worth it.

Ask the people in Afghanistan if they want me to stay,
Women and children depend on me - you say just walk away.

I don't need your changing policy, trying hard to not lose face,
What I need is you behind me, helping protect this place.

You know its hard to do this when I think I'm all alone.
I hear stories of young punks pissing on memorial stones.

I read the papers over here and they tell me what is said.
Canadians are losing faith I can't get it through my head.

You say that it is hopeless, it really brings me down
Don't tell my mother we're losing, don't spread that rumour around.

I'm doing good, were winning here but no-one will believe
Because we are way over here where no one there can see.

Women here can work you see, children starting school.
We built a working government, we've broken Taliban rule.

We are so close to winning this, it's not too far away
History will show that we were in the right to stay.

When that brilliant day arrives, victory you'll claim is ours
You'll forget you said to run away - forget you are a coward.

On that day just thank me for my courage and my trouble,
Find another place that needs help, and send me on the double.

by Josh Forbes

Calgary, Alberta

CANADIAN SOLIDERS

RULES OF COMBAT: RULE # 1

For the Family, Loved Ones, and Friends of Pte. Patrick Lormand

Private Patrick Lormand was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle on a road in Panwjai District.The incident occurred approximately 10 kilometres South-West of Kandahar City at around 1:00 p.m., Kandahar time, on 13th September, 2009. Patrick Lormand was from the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e RÈgiment based in Valcartier, Quebec. Private Lormand was serving as a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e RÈgiment Battle Group, Quebec. HE was promoted posthumously to the rank of Corporal

In this the darkest hour

Of a parent’s loving time

We pray dear Lord

Please quell their pain

Though we know that you won’t find

Any comfort at this moment

As this unfolds on you

This loss, this empty feeling

Has engulfed you through and through

Please know our hearts

Are standing near

Wishing we could be

Holding you to help you stand

For he stood for all you see

For your young man stepped forth to show

So many a new way

Stepped forth to guide, to defend

Lead others to freedom’s gate

Young Patrick is a hero

A hero through and through

For he stepped forth where few would go

A helping hand to lend you know

Went forth endured the hardships

Most could never comprehend

Stepped forth with a smile that lit

The faces of his fellow man

Always a smile always in cheer

To lose a smile so bright

Has touched the heart the soul of those

Who smiled at his sight

They will not lose the laughter

We can never ever forget

These young men who have stepped forth

To overcome the terrors our world has met

They saw the picture differently

Like so many others near

They felt the difference they could make

For them it is so very clear

He joined our forces stood so tall

So brave a brotherhood

Tis hard to see him taken from

Those who do for us such good

We pray lord send your angels

To lift and take him home

That those who went before him

Will greet and show he’s not alone

Please smile upon his family

Friends and loved ones too

Let them know he will be so near

To them in all they do

Your efforts will not be forgotten.

You are Canada, and you and your fellow troops are in our hearts.

Pte. Patrick Lormand we knew you not, but our prayers reach out for you, your loved ones, friends, and fellow soldiers.

We do, so dearly, thank you and your loved ones for your efforts towards making our world a better place.

***

By: Roger Borchert

QW - THE FIELD ARTILLERY

"There is NO job in the Field Artillery for the weak, the timid or the indecisive."

- Unknown

PW - THE FALLEN SOLDIER, ALL ALONE

***

Fallen Soldier All Alone

Fallen Soldier Far From Home.

Trickling Down His Face A Tear,

Forgetting How It Feels To Fear

Death And All It's Fate And Glory.

Now It's Here, No Need To Worry.

Fallen Soldier All Alone

Fallen Soldier Far From Home

He's One Of Those They'll All Forget;

The Life He Lived, The Goals He Set,

The Ones He Loved, The Ones Who Wait

To See His Nearly Forgotten Face.

Fallen Soldier All Alone

Fallen Soldier Far From Home

Now Breathing's Just A Waste Of Breath

And Living's Just A Waste Of Death

As He Searches For A New Address;

A Brand New Home Free Of Loneliness.

Fallen Soldier All Alone

Fallen Soldier Far From Home

Lying Motionless On The Ground,

The Battle Raging All Around.

For Now He Is Not All Alone.

This Fallen Soldier Is Welcomed Home.

***

-Unkown Author-

BLITZKRIEG

DEATH OF A POLICEMAN

Comdr Hussein & a member of a the POMLT

***

During a tour overseas a person is involved in many things and with many people that form long lasting memories. Many are funny, exciting and happy memories. More recently our involvement has lead to many losses, which only leave us with those memories.

**

We always remember our friends and comrades from home that have been lost but those who work along side us over here are sadly overlooked. Those who want a better life for their family and friends; those who stand along side us when bullets are whining overhead; and those who share a meal and a friendly laugh with us.

**

Recently we have lost one of our own; a man who welcomed us to his home; who supported us and who treated us like one of his own. A Commander Hussein of the Afghan National Police stationed in the Zharay District, Kandahar Province was ambushed while on a foot patrol and lost his life.

**

We just wanted to acknowledge his dedication and professionalism to his country and to us when we had the pleasure to working together.

***

May God be with…RIP

HONOR

A poem written in thoughts of the loss of Maj. Yannick Pepin and Cpl. Jean-Francois Drouin

***

Maj. Yannick Pepin and Cpl. Jean-Francois Drouin were killed by a powerful roadside bomb blast hit their armoured vehicle on 6 Sept 2009 on a road southwest of Kandahar, around noon local time in the Dand district.

***

As we look forward to the harvest

Tis that time of year

When nature paints its beauty

As new colours now appear

We recall that spring unfolded

And blossomed forth the new

And summer brought its sunshine

And all about us grew

It is so hard to see this good

When news of a tragic loss

Tells of those who have stepped forth

And paid for us such cost

They allowed for all to rest assured

That freedom stands between

The terror and this nation’s gates

To keep us safely screened

They stepped forth to change

A future for a country in distress

To place a glimpse of freedom in

An eye, a mind, that’s been oppressed

Oh Lord the cost, this task we sent

Our precious youth to bare

Is breaking hearts and bringing tears

To so many families near

Let us not forget their anguish

Let us not forget their pain

Let us stand, be ready, let them know

Their loss is not in vain

We must know the endless tears which flow

From a broken hearted mom

A father who shows not the tears

But feels them every one.

**

Remember the loss the pain that’s felt

By a child who wished them near

To help to bring their future forth

And quell their endless fears

A spouse who’s left with shattered dreams

A loved one who feels the same

A friend who holds the memories of

More times that should have been

Oh yes there is such emptiness

That we must help to share

For if we Canada remain not near

Then why becomes not clear

Rest easy our fallen heroes

Our brave and precious ones

Who’ve stepped forth for all

A better world to make

For each and everyone

Your efforts will not be forgotten.

*

You are Canada, and you and your fellow troops are in our hearts.

***

Maj. Yannick Pepin and Cpl. Jean-Francois Drouin we knew you not, but our prayers reach out for you, your loved ones, friends, and fellow soldiers.

*

We do, so dearly, thank you and your loved ones for your efforts towards making our world a better place.

***

By: Roger Borchert

the GOOD...

Don't try to be a good man, just be a man, and let history decide"

- Zefram Cochran

Scout personnel of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. These men have killed a total of 101 men through sniping operations. 9 Oct 1944, Camp de Brasschaet, Belgium.

RAW

PW - HERE LIES A SOLDIER

As I mourn at the graves of a million men,

The sky turns to black then back to blue again,

My tears are not that of pain and sorrow,

But the pride for those warriors who fought for tomorrow.

The trust in each other to bring them home safe,

Received an end to there life, or a life filled with pain,

For to live with such memories, and never forget,

Is to survive with the thoughts of your comrades last breath.

For the years they have fought, while blinded from truth,

Quickly leaving behind there precious short youth.

Some know not their struggle, there battles, there war,

Sad, we shall not here there voices anymore.

As I mourn for the grief of a million men,

The march of the soldiers shall begin,

My tears are not that of pain and sorrow,

But the pride of those warriors who fought for tomorrow.

***

***

And all of those men alive or broken,

I give my praise, so loudly spoken,

Because our pride is enough, even to drown,

The pain of our soldiers, there cries all around.

Some never take notice, of those brave men,

While standing on soil, they died to defend,

Some peoples ignorance is remarkable, there selfishness more,

They live on this land, without living through war.

But as I stand, I mourn for my brother's,

To join in there fight, took no time to ponder,

As i see there names, carved deep in the stone,
Here lies a soldier, that is never alone.

***
By: Adam Stratil
***

Dedicated to Cpl Chad O'Quinn, 2 Headquarters & Signal Squadron

Killed in Action, March 3rd, 2009