The Soldier

As you can probably tell this page is dedicated to the men and women of the United States Military.

There are times when tears will come to my eyes as I think about the sacrifices they have made. Not just here in Iraq but in past wars as well.

Since the beginning of OIF we have lost more than 4,000 soldiers and more than 445 contractors. On top of that there have been more than 50,000 wounded according to some sources.

My hope is that every once in a while you will take a few seconds out of your busy day and think about the sacrifices that have been made to ensure our freedoms.

Bury Me With Soldiers

I’ve played a lot of roles in life;

I’ve met a lot of men.

I’ve done some things I’d like to think

I wouldn’t do again.

And though I’m young, I’m old enough

To know someday I’ll die

I think about what lies beyond,

Beside whom I would lie.

Perhaps it doesn’t matter much;

Still, if I had my choice,

I’d want a grave ‘mongst soldiers when

At last death quells my voice.

I’m sick of the hypocrisy

Of lectures by the wise.

I’ll take the man, with all his flaws,

Who goes, though scared, and dies.

The troops I knew were common place

They didn’t want the war;

They fought because their fathers had,

And their fathers had before.

They cursed and killed and wept, God knows,

They’re easy to deride

But bury me with men like these;

They faced the guns and died.

It’s funny when you think of it,

The way we got along.

We’d come from different worlds

To one when none belonged.

I didn’t even like them all;

I’m sure they’d all agree.

Yet I would give my life for them,

I know some did for me.

So bury me with the soldiers please,

Though much maligned they be.

Yes bury me with soldiers,

For I miss their company

We’ll not soon see their likes again

We’ve had our fill of war.

But bury me with men like these

Till someone else does more.

(SGT Charles Fink, Vietnam)

Click here to read an open letter from General Patraeus to troops in Iraq

Please visit this website when you have a chance.

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to demostrate.
It is the the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.

Author Unknown

FINAL INSPECTION

The soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,

It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod.

As the soldier waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you soldier,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell."

~Author Unknown~

October 22, 2006

Private Josh Denman stands where a rocket struck our base injuring his leg

October 22, 2006

Soldiers from the 118th MP Company

Two of my "kids" Specialists O'Leary and Truelove

Stuck in the bunker during a mortar attack, Sgt Grounds and SSG Jones

Specialist Lee & Private Smith from the 118th MP Company

My squad demonstrating tactics for the Iraqi Police

Me and Private McGowan

L-R: One of my former partners Brian Rhodenizer and Specialist David Truelove

My Truck Commander for nearly six months, Sgt David Grounds

My former Platoon Commander, Lt Mark Singer, on patrol in Baghdad

In Memory of Private Anthony P. Seig

Pfc. Anthony P. Seig died on Saturday, September 9, 2006 in Iraq when a rocket hit his barracks in Baghdad. Six other soldiers were injured in the attack. He was assigned to the 118th Military Police Company, 519th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade, based at Fort Bragg, NC.

The military informed the family that Seig would posthumously receive the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. His decorations also include the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Overseas Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

The 2005 graduate of East Central High School in St. Leon, Indiana, Seig joined the Army shortly after graduation, and left for Iraq on June 24th, 2006.

"He took great pride in being an MP," his mother, Linda Seig, said. "He felt like what he was doing was important and it mattered."

His aunt, Vicki Jenkins, said, "He was very proud to serve his country. He felt very strongly about [that]."

PFC Anthony P. Seig

March 21, 2007

A few of my military counterparts from the 240th MP Company

An American Police Officer in Iraq

January 17, 2007

With a member of the Iraqi Army