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Aug-16-2011 01:44printcomments

Navy SEALS Brothers In Arms

Even in Afghanistan, such an extensive loss of life is rare.

Salem-News.com
The same type of helicopter that was lost; an Army CH-47, on approach to the base at Gardez, Afghanistan.
Salem-News.com photo by Tim King.

(CLEVELAND) - Much has been expressed about the recent deaths of almost three dozen servicemen in Afghanistan, many of whom were from the same unit involved in the reported killing of a suspect the U.S. has fully disrupted world peace in search of for the last decade; the elusive Saudi who helped free Afghanistan from Soviet occupation in the 1980's, Usama bin Laden.

A terrible loss was experienced, and it is very rare for anything like this to take place even in Afghanistan, with such an extensive loss of life. In fact it is the single worst loss of life in the entire war. The same group, SEAL Team 6, is said to have taken an 'experimental' helicopter to the described bin Laden hideout and lost that, when the location is a scant 100 miles from the U.S. bases in Afghanistan.

It is terrible that so much helicopter-related loss would be tied to the roles of U.S. special operations forces who are extremely well funded. Sometimes the odds are just incredible. The whole story of the alleged killing of bin Laden is heavily and securely cloaked in government secrecy and we hear one story, but likely never know a great deal about it.

I appreciate Luke Easter's steadfast dedication as an American, his eyes are wide open and yet he remains patriotic and vigilant for all that is right and good. It is a solid fact that the U.S. military is vastly under appreciated, and I appreciate this poetic tribute to honor those who died.
- by Tim King, Salem-News.com Editor

Navy SEALS Brothers In Arms

Stealth, the helicopter moves supposedly undetected in the night,
Advanced training, prior missions aided by stars and moonlight,
SEALS effective underwater in the air also everything is all right,
Not Just Bin Laden but many secret missions & more than hype.

Of the 38 casualties 30 were American Soldiers killed in the fall,
Eight were Afghan military personnel all for one and one for all,
News flash was devastating via Internet airwaves, here at home,
To the point although 1,000 of miles away they did not die alone.

Conventional forces, Special Forces, technical support, all it took,
Numerous operations vital to security it would take many books,
To detail let alone outline the bravery & training one would need,
So cool under adverse situations some say ice water they’d bleed.

Personally, I really do believe we are chosen before we are born,
Whereas many are called but few are chosen refusing to conform,
To a life of utter uncertainty surely known to turn boys into Men,
Career Officers & Enlisted Personnel, may the Honor Roll begin,

Lt. Cmdr. Jonas B. Kelsall & Robert J. Revees 32, Shreveport, La.,
Master Chief Louis J. Langlais 44, Santa Barbara, Cali as we say,
Senior Chief Thomas A. Ratzlaff 34 from Green Forest, Arkansas,
Jared W. Day 28 Taylorsville, Jason R. Workman 32 Blanding, Utah.

Spencer C. Duncan 21, Bryan J. Nichols 31, Kansas, Olathe & Hays,
Warrant Officers, Tech Sgt, Specialists, heroes come in many ways,
Andrew W. Harvell 26, Long Beach, Jesse D. Pittman 27, Ukiah, Ca,
Kraig M. Vickers 36, Kokomo, Hawaii; that’s know as oceans away.

Minn. John W Faas 31, Minneapolis, Nicholas P. Spehar 24, St. Paul,
Stateside to the Islands, not just Continental soldiers answered the call,
JFK’s hunting ground, Kevin A. Houston 35, Mass. West Hyannisport,
Brian R. Bill 31, Stamford, Conn; Daniel L. Zerbe,28, Pa. city of York.

Stephen M. Mills 35, Fort Worth, Tx; Heath M. Robinson, Hitsville, USA,
John Douangdara 26, of South Sioux City, Neb. Indian country by the way,
Aaron C. Vaughn 30, Stuart, Fla. David R. Carter 47, Rocky Mountain High,
John W. Brown 33, Tallahassee, Fla. another state at least two waving bye.

Nicholas H. Null 30 of Washington, West Virginia, the state is a city name too,
Darrik C. Benson 28, Angwin, Ca. Matthew D. Mason 37, Kansas City, Mizzou;
Patrick D. Hamburger 30, Lincoln, Neb, Tacoma, Wa.24 Alexander J. Bennett,
Philly, Michael J. Strange 25, Jon T. Tumilson, Rockford, Iowa loved being in it.

Christopher G. Campbell,36, of Jacksonville, North Carolina; last name to post,
Fly our flags at half-mast, salute with honor, click our glass and present a toast,
War will never bet without tragedy albeit military or civilian lives sacrifice is high,
Pearl Harbor, Viet Nam, Iraq, Afghanistan, how many more tears must we cry?

Old Testament now the New Testament, how does conflict continue to begin?
Sometimes death & destruction advances long before the previous battle ends,
Question: Since we know peace is the only way to keep society safe from harm,
How come after thousands of years on earth we still need, “Soldier’s In Arms?”

By Luke Easter

_____________________________________________

Luke Easter is a poet who writes about things that are very close to the heart of Salem-News.com. Another former U.S. Marine, Luke heals the world with an approach that reaches people on a different level, one known for centuries, yet too often forgotten in the one we live in.

We live in a world of social & economic injustice. The main reason for founding America in the first place was to relieve the oppression of the King of England. Patrick Henry said it best, “give me liberty or give me death.” And yet, all too often death seems to be the only way out. Why is there such a high suicide rate especially among teens, in the land of the free & the home of the brave? What makes headlines? Good news? Ha! More depressing stories than anything else. I feel poetry takes an edge off the hurt of bad news while still delivering it but in a, “glitzy” sort of way. Giving a different perspective. Kind of like slap in the face as opposed to a knife in the back. At least with the slap you’ll live to see another day and you will know whom it’s from. I wasn’t here for the beginning of the world but at 59, I just might be here for the end.

Even though it’s still a knife, rhyme poetry helps to dull the blade. And that’s my job. You can write to Luke Easter at: lyricsfromlucas@aol.com




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Vic August 18, 2011 10:32 am (Pacific time)

"they who take up the sword shall die by the sword" Jeus Christ..(who never ever glorified or praised those who take up killing other people as a profession).. I do not pity these killers, I pity the countless innocents who suffer under the boots, bombs and bullets of these mertcenaries. Like the other NINETEEN people killed in the so-called Bin Laden execution...some allegedly executed in front of their children.


Anonymous August 16, 2011 5:52 pm (Pacific time)

No truer word has ever been spoken. GREED Indeed!


COLLI August 16, 2011 7:29 am (Pacific time)

Well done Luke! This was a fine tribute to these valiant souls. The answer to the last question presented by your poem is "GREED".

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