THERE IS ONE PATROL STILL OUT

A Squad on a mission to search and destroy.

A Bomber Crew making a run to Hanoi.

A Gunner on the Mekong in a gunboat of steel.

A Green Beret, a Medic, a Navy SEAL.

A Marine on a hillside at the Siege of Khe Sanh.

A Chopper Crew at a landing zone...the list goes on.

They went forth to do battle and stayed where they fell.

Or spent their last desperate days in a dark prison cell.

They were called on to serve in that strange distant land

For reasons some of them never did quite understand.

The support and respect they would need to pull through

Came too little, too late, and was expressed by too few.

It's so sad there were many like these left behind.

Although no longer with us, they are still on our mind.

Each one is a hero, every brave, valiant soul.

For these are the members of THE LAST PATROL.

Their spirits cry out in anguish: "Why can't WE return home?"

As through the jungles and highlands they restlessly roam.

They haunt the rubber plantations, the rice paddies too,

The streets of Saigon, the Delta, all those places they knew;

Like the Ton Son Nhut Airfield, R & R at Vung Tau,

The Repple Depot at Long Binh....just vague memories now.

A flag with a Silhouette honors the POW, the MIA.

And we search for them still, even up to this day.

What's the number of bracelets that many people yet wear,

Bearing names of our warriors that we left over there?

Will they ever return? No... Not likely, not now.

But their loved ones still hope that maybe, someday, somehow,

A discovery could close this sad chapter of life,

And bring peace to parents, a sibling, a child or a wife.

If as a Nation, we could say: "You did not die in vain.

We gratefully honor your sacrifice, your courage and pain".

Perhaps then those sad souls could rest, no more have to roam

And our LAST PATROL, in spirit, could finally be welcomed home.



THE GUARANTEE

Who gave us the right to Life and Liberty,

As well as the Pursuit of Happiness?

Who gave us the right to speak our mind,

To say what we think, and nothing less?

Who gave us the right to worship

That which we deem sacred and revere?

And who was it that said it, loud and clear?

We will not be plagued by Want.. nor Fear.

Our Forefathers boldly conceived these rights,

They are part of our Nation & rsquo;s history;

And for the last two hundred years and more,

None have possessed more rights than we.

But we must not forget those whose gallantry

Has secured these freedoms we so adore.

Their deeds have ensured our way of life,

So we may enjoy our Liberties evermore.

Were it not for the price they did bravely pay,

Could we congregate at Church or City Hall?

Would we have a choice on election day?

Would we be allowed to vote--or to pray-- at all?

The Minuteman falling at Lexington,

Was the first to sustain our Liberty,

And the Doughboy who lies in Flanders Field

Gave his life in order to keep us free.

On D-Day many a soldier died

So we could have our say with impunity,

And today we can choose where we wish to live

Thanks to a Sailor lost in the Coral Sea.

The Bomber Crew who did not return,

The Marine under siege on a barren hill,

The Patrol that was ambushed on a jungle trail,

Or trapped in snow by winter & rsquo;s deadly chill.

Those entombed in sunken ships at Pearl;

Prisoners who were starved to skin and bone;

The millions who were called to take up arms,

And the thousands whose fate is still unknown.

They are the ones who have guaranteed

Those freedoms promised so long ago.

To take our rights for granted would be to derogate

The faith and courage they all did show.

We must never abuse, misuse nor desecrate

These precious treasures we cherish so.

Liberty & rsquo;s Light has never beamed so bright,

And thanks to all who serve...it will forever glow!


LEST WE FORGET

Will someone tell the story?

Can anyone recall...

The horrors of the First World War,

And the thousands that would fall?

The doughboys in the trenches,

That were bombed and shelled and gassed...

Does anyone still live today,

Who can relate what really passed?

And what about the millions,

Who served the second time around?

Their numbers lessen every day,

Soon, even they, will not be found.

Nearly half a million paid the price,

To save the world and make it free.

My friends... do you remember them,

And their sacrifice, for you and me?

Do you remember Korea, the Forgotten War?

Just one of many battles born and bred,

Because of politics and ideologies...

That left so many sons and fathers dead.

Have we forgotten those who burned our Flag

And cursed the deeds of men who stood so tall;

Who bravely served and died in South Vietnam;

Their names now etched on a cold grey wall?

Does our memory still harbor thoughts,

Of conflicts different from the norm?

Somalia, Grenada and Kosovo,

Panama, Bosnia and Desert Storm.

Of the legions called upon to serve,

And were sent to fight on foreign shore...

How many thousands still remain,

Their fate unknown forevermore?

Let us devote today, Memorial Day,

To those who heeded Freedom’s call.

Let us retell the tales... Lest We Forget,

That all gave some, and some gave all.


SALUTE TO A VETERAN

There stands amongst us a man who has faced the foe.

He saw his duty clear and he did bravely go

To protect our freedom in its time of need.

Should we call him hero? We should indeed.

Who is this man that fought to defend our land

In steaming jungles, frozen mountains and burning sand?

He served on ships, in tanks, on land and sea,

In submarines, in airplanes, and in mud....up to his knee.

What were his roots? From whence did he hail?

Through countless missions and battles, never once did he fail.

He came from all walks of life, every creed, every race,

And served with honor, no matter what color his face.

He was a rich man, a poor man, from big cities and farms.

But he had only one purpose when taking up arms.

Our way of life was in peril, so conquer he must;

For in all of our wars, our cause it was just.

When we think of our Liberty which we cherish, so dear,

Remember who paid the price so it would always be here.

He left home and hearth proudly, to do his own part,

With love for a Peaceful America deep down in his heart.

So honor to those who served, who fought, were wounded or fell.

To the Prisoners of War and those still missing as well.

And honor to our women, who in their own right,

Have served distinctly with courage and spirit so bright.

They are Veterans all, deserving of praise

And also respect for the rest of their days.

True Allegiance they pledged, to their Flag, one by one.

And they were true to their words, our colors never did run.

Let's salute this Veteran as we would a Flag that's unfurled,

For he's the reason Our Country is the best in the world.

These great Poems were written By Frank J. Montoya