Called to Duty

by Melissa J. Miller

Called to Duty,

You answered that call

You trained and learned then were

Delivered to a foreign land

The grass was green and lush waving in the wind

With the sound “whap, whap, whap”

 of a gunship or slick cutting through the wind

 

The door gunner pre-checks his ammo and weapons;

Crew Chief checks the gunner,

Pilot and co-pilot pre-check the gunship or slick

all is ready to go..

 Mission is known, preps are made,

Off into the sunset or sunrise you go

Over the grass Green and lush waving in the wind

 

Out on a mission, the sound of the gunship or slick blades cutting the wind with a “whap, whap, whap” overhead, the blades of grass leaning against the force wind of the gunship or slick as she rises into the air

on her way to danger

The sound of the blades “whap, whap, whap” is all you hear…

a defying sound that cuts to the soul.

Over the grass Green and lush waving in the wind

 

You compete your mission and return, a success by all you know.

Over the grass Green and lush waving in the wind

silent to the “whap, whap, whap” of blades of a gunship or slick

 

You do this day by day, night by night, over and over, when will it ever end you ask?

But still you repeat it, until ordered to stop

Over the grass Green and lush waving in the wind

silent to the “whap, whap, whap” of blades of a gunship or slick

 

Mission, after mission, after mission, with no relief in sight

Over the grass Green and lush waving in the wind

silent to the “whap, whap, whap” of blades of a gunship or slick

 

Losing friends, brothers and heroes as you go day by day

Over the grass Green and lush waving in the wind

silent to the “whap, whap, whap” of blades of a gunship or slick

 

Those lost are never forgotten

Over the grass Green and lush waving in the wind

silent to the “whap, whap, whap” of blades of a gunship or slick

 

Standing still is the granite with the names of those who sacrificed

Is a wall cold and black

In the green and lush grass that waves in the wind

Now silent to the “whap, whap, whap” of blades of a gunship or slick

 

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Copyright 2004, Melissa J. Miller, All Rights Reserved

 

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Melissa is the daughter of Richard A. Weske

Her Father was Killed in Action 21 MAY 1968 with the 191st AHC

 

She serves today in the U.S. Navy overseas