LONENURSE1's Blogs

Daddy's Poem

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at School,
and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mummy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to School
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back,
for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats.

One by one the teacher called
a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching
for a man who wasn't there.

"Where's her daddy at?"
She heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day."

The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mum.
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child
came words incredibly unique.

"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories,
he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him,
I'm not standing here alone."

"Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart"

With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,
her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.

"I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but Heaven's just too far.

You see he was a Soldier
and died just this past year
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
and taught us all to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.

And to her mothers amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes

Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.

"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed,
if only for a moment,
by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing
that Heaven is never too far.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OATH OF ENLISTMENT



I, Crabby, swear to sign away four years of my useless life to the Royal Air

Force because I know I couldn't hack it in the Army and because the Marines

frighten me. I swear to sit behind a desk and take credit for the work done

by others more dedicated than me who take their job seriously. I also swear

not to do any form of real exercise, but promise to defend our bleep test as

a valid form of exercise.

I swear to uphold and defend the Crown, even though I believe myself to be

above that. I promise to walk around calling everyone by their first name

because I know I'm not really in the military and I find it amusing to annoy

the other services. I will have a better quality of life than all those

around me and will at all times be sure to make them aware of that fact.

After completion of my (hehe) "basic training," I will be a lean, mean,

doughnut-eating, lazy-boy sitting, civilian-wearing-blue-clothes, Sick Bay

Ranger. I will believe that I am superior to all others, and will make an

effort to clean the knife before stabbing the next person in the back with

it. I will do no work unless someone is watching me (and it makes me look

good), will annoy those around me, and will go home early everyday.

I consent to never getting promoted -- EVER -- and understand that all those

whom I made fun of yesterday probably will outrank me tomorrow.

So help me God.

Signature: ___________________ Date: _________________



BRITISH ARMY OATH OF ENLISTMENT

I, Pongo, swear to sign away four years of my mediocre life to the British Army because I couldn't score high enough on the entrance test to get into the Air Force, I'm not thick enough for the Royal Marines, and the Royal Navy won't take me because I can't swim or read.

I will wear CS95's every day and tuck my trousers into my boots because I can't figure out how to use Twisters. I will promise to tell myself every day that I am a fierce killing machine because the RSM told me I am, despite the fact that the only action I ever will see is a court martial for sexual harassment.

I acknowledge the fact that I will make L/Cpl in my first year of service, and vow to maintain that it is because I scored perfect on my PT test. After completion of my sexual -- er -- I mean, BASIC training, I will attend a different Army school once every other month and return knowing less than I did when I left.

On my first leave after basic, I will walk around like I am cool and propose to my sixth form girlfriend. I will make my wife stay home, because if I let her out she might leave me for a smarter, better-looking Air Force guy.

Should she leave me twelve times, I will continue to take her back.

While at work, I will maintain a look of knowledge while getting absolutely nothing accomplished. I will arrive at work every day at 1000 hours because of morning PT and leave every day at 1300 hours to report back to the "section." I understand that I will undergo no training whatsoever that will help me get a job in civi street, and will end up working in security at Tesco with my friends from high school. I will brag to everyone about the Army giving me £1500 for education, but will be unable to use it because I can't pass a placement exam.

So help me God.

Signature:__________________ Date:_______________



ROYAL NAVY OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

I, Popeye, in lieu of going to prison, swear to sign away four years of my life to the Royal Navy because I want to hang out with Marines without actually having to BE one of them, because I thought the Air Force was too gay and because I thought, "Hey, I like to swim...Why not?"

I promise to wear clothing that went out of style in 1976 and to have my name stenciled on the **** of every item of clothing I own. I understand that I will be mistaken for the Good Humour man during the summer, and for the Waffen SS during the winter. I will strive to use a different language than the rest of the English-speaking world, using words like "deck, bulkhead, lid, and head," when I really mean "floor, wall, hat, and toilet."

I will take great pride in the fact that all Navy acronyms, ranks and insignia, and everything else for that matter, are completely different from the other services and make absolutely no sense whatsoever.

I will muster (whatever that is) at 0700 hours every morning unless I am mates with the Chief, in which case I will show up around 0930 hours.

I vow to hone my coffee cup handling skills to the point that I can stand up in a kayak being tossed around in a typhoon and still not spill a drop.

I consent to being promoted and subsequently busted at least twice each fiscal year. I realize that, once selected for Chief, I am required to submit myself to the sick, and quite possibly illegal, whims of my new-found "colleagues." So help me Neptune.

Signature:__________________ Date:_______________



ROYAL MARINES OATH OF ENLISTMENT

I, ________________ (state name here), swear...uhhhh...hard-and-fast... grunt... Green Lid... ugh...

WRNS.... HOORAH!

So help me Corps.

Thumb Print:___________________ Date:______________

Soldier' by Simon A. Swann

I am that which protects the realm.
I am that which fights for my people.
I am the one who serves not only my queen and country,
But my squad, my team, my friends, my family .

Though I fight, I do so for peace,
Though I pull the trigger, I do so in the knowledge that all other options have failed.
Though I take a mans life. I do so with regret and sorrow.
Though I attack, I do so only in defence.

It is with pride and honour that I bear the uniform.
It is with regret that I bear the rifle that acompanys it.

I have put my life at risk for those I love.
I have fought for that which I believe in.

Be it Marine, Rock Ape, Infantry, or other,
I fight in the knowledge that I am part of a greater body.
I have done my piece for peace.
And though I may fall, I will do so willfully.
Knowing that I will arise at the pearly gates, one more solider reporting for duty...

I am the protector.
I am the knight
I am the soldier.

I GOT YOUR BACK

I am a small and precious child, my dad's been sent to fight:
The only place I'll see his face, is in my dreams at night.
He will be gone too many days for my young mind to keep track.
I may be sad, but I am proud.
My daddy's got your back.


I am a caring mother' my son has gone to war'
My mind is filled with worries that I have never known before.
Everyday I try to keep my thoughts from turning black.
I may be scared, but I am proud.
My son has got your back.


I am a strong and loving wife' with a husband soon to go.
There are times I'm terrified, in a way most never know.
I bite my lip, and force a smile, as I watch my husband pack!
My heart may break, but I am proud.
My husband's got your back:


I am a soldier
Serving proudly, standing tall.
I fight for freedom, yours and mine, by answering this call.
I do my job while knowing, the thanks it sometimes lacks.
Say a prayer that I'll come home.
It's me who's got your back