I am your soldier.

I fully know my charge

the many duties which it brings,

I take this mantle well aware

that you ask of me these things.

A United States Marine Corps carry team moves the flag-draped transfer case holding the remains of Master Sgt. Aaron Torian of Paducha, KY, during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base February 18, 2014 in Dover, Delaware. Assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Torian, 36, was on his sixth combat deployment when he was killed by an improvised explosive device February 15 in Afghanistan. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

You ask of me my time

here at home or worlds away,

during placid peace the Lord may grant

and through the times of war we wage.

You ask me to accept

a different way of living life,

You ask of me my absence

from my children and my wife.

An absence from the comforts

and the life for which I fight,

from celebrating birthdays

to the joy of Christmas night.

Dustin Williams kisses his daughter Aubrey, 1, on the cheek after being dismissed from duty during the ceremony for Michigan Army National Guard 1461st Transportation Company returning home Thursday, May 30, 2013 at Lumen Christi High School in Jackson, Mich. More than 130 soldiers returned home from a 323-day tour in Afghanistan. (AP)

You ask me to be ready

for a fight in foreign lands,

to give up my son's embrace

or hold my daughter's hands.

To kiss my wife goodbye

her never knowing my return,

all my life avoiding conflict

now you ask of me to learn.

You ask of me alone

the things which no one else would do,

the things which no one else should see

that no one ever should live through.

U.S. Army soldiers carry the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Pfc. Cody J. Patterson during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on October 9, 2013 in Dover, Delaware. According to reports, Patterson, who was from Philomath, Oregon, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, at Fort Benning, Georgia, was killed while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan. Since the U.S. government shutdown, a benefit called the 'death gratuity' that helps families cover travel and funeral costs for fallen soldiers has gone unpaid. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

You ask me in the face

of coming death and danger near

that I keep fighting for my country,

this you ask me to not fear,

to put myself in place of you

when e're the fight is growing nigh

and though you pray it never comes,

to sacrifice my only life

I am your soldier.

A soldier assigned to 3rd Platoon, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division overlooks the village of Kushak in the Arghandab region of Afghanistan. 3rd Plt. soldiers provided overwatch for other A Co. elements patrolling Kushak Nov. 22.

And from the place where I now rest

I do not ask of you these things,

that you face a certain danger,

that you live these horrid things,

I do not ask you to surrender

precious moments gone away,

or the comforts of a loving home

the joys of every day.

I do not ask you for your absence,

from a wife or children small,

To give up hopes and dreams

I shall not ask of you at all

I do not ask of you

to face your death

and stand among the brave

no,

I only ask of you one thing,

I ask you to remember

what this humble soldier gave.

–

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