You've Got To Stand For Something Or You'll Fall For Anything

            Currently I stand in the field of golden wheat, the stalks waving in the breeze. I walk in the faded footsteps of men who made a Pledge to fight for what they believed in. They had an Allegiance to their commanders and to their country. I look To the sky, imagining the brilliant blue muffled with smoke from muskets and cannons. I walk up The hill overlooking the town below. I can see a Flag ripple in the wind, a reminder of what was fought for here.

            On the edge of the field a single stone marks the name Of this place. For the people who once stood here The stone signifies a victory against all odds. I close my eyes and think about the way those men stood United, facing eminent danger. They did not have unified training, only a rag-tag group of men from various States. Men Of this area knew more about farming than fighting in a war. The one thing they did have was a name to fight for, America.

            Eventually the smoke cleared And the sounds of gunfire ceased. The trained soldiers retreated To their camp. At last, The men who had fought for freedom stood tall and proud. They served their Republic with every breath. They fought For the women and children of the towns. I now look for the courage Which they showed without hesitation. I stand here, hoping to soak It up by remembering how it was once displayed. My son Stands at my side, looking out at fields stretching into the distance. 

           He is the One I have to be strong for. Soon I will be following the footsteps of those men long forgotten; fighting for the Nation they believed in. I tell myself that I will not fail Under pressure. I tell my son that God will bring me home safely. As I say goodbye the next morning I tell my loving wife that we are Indivisible, that the miles between us will not matter. 

          For the first time, With a heavy heart, I walk away from the two people who mean the most to me. Once the plane takes off, my thoughts are of fighting for Liberty. I think about the men who fought And died in that field. Like them, I also want Justice for my country and its citizens. When the time comes For me to face the enemy, I only pray that I have the courage to battle with every breath. I am standing strong for All the people who have come before me.