Through a Soldier's Eyes

Through a Soldier's Eyes

Alone in the desert

My weapon in hand

There is nothing for miles

Just my brothers and sand

Our families at home worry

And they ask why

But we know why we're here

And we know some may die.

We are sons, daughters, fathers and mothers

We're not here for ourselves

We're here for all the others

The ones who criticize

And the ones who doubt

Not knowing what this war is even about.

You see us on TV, on CNN

They portray us as animals

Not as women or men

They don't show our good deeds

Or the lives we have changed

They portray us as killers

Forgetting the sacrifices we have made.

We don't want to be heroes

Or have our faces on the news

We just want to be heard

Put yourself in our shoes

We feel pride every morning

When we put on these clothes

This is the job that we love

The life that we chose.

Our lives are never easy

The road is always long

But we stand tall, we stand proud

We push through holding strong.

The next time you see Old Glory flying

Our flag way up high

Stop, look, and smile

Please, don't just walk by

We know what the flag stands for

It means freedom for me and you

So why not let others

Feel that same freedom too.

So the next time you judge

When you want to criticize

Please stop and think

Try to look through a soldier's eyes.

SPC Matthew Larson OIF 06-08

Tallil AF Base (Tallil, Iraq)

Minnesota Army National Guard