He Guides My Path – The Writing of Sarah Berthelson

My guy was a Marine and I was so proud.

One day, he came home to say

‘To Vietnam I am to go’.  I cried out loud,

Looking at my one year old little boy.

In two months, I gave birth to a second son.

My hero was flying his airplane across the sky

When our son was born.  I just had to cry.

His dad would not see him for another year.

He came home to me and two little boys,

Holding his head down because,

Back then, he did not feel proud.

He was not supported for all that he did.

So many were against that war.

Some shouted and screamed that he should not be there,

Three years later, he came home to say

‘I will go back to Vietnam’.

Again, my heart broke for the sadness and fear.

I thought ‘another year I must endure’.

Seven months and I was to give birth to our third son.

Again, in the maternity ward, I felt so alone.

My hero came home and I was so proud.

Yet, no one clapped as he got off the plane.

No one said, “Thank you, Marine, for your sacrifice.”

He did not ask to go and fight but he did proudly

He was not there for the birth of either son.

He was fighting a war for them to be free.

He is my hero, you see.

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

To the veterans of World War 11, I salute you today

It has been a long time ago but the memories will stay

I am so thankful for the sacrifice that you made

For the freedom that we share on this Memorial Day

God bless you dear ones that are  here to celebrate

Many have gone home but we have not forgotten  you

As we think of Belgium or Germany way back to that date

In 1944 there was one that I love

Celebrated Christmas in a hut that he is not sure of

It was somewhere over there, he was hiding that day

Just to stay safe with his buddies he prayed

God bless these wonderful folks that made sacrifices for us

Bless the loved ones that are sadden because theirs did not make it home on that bus

With a big salute I honor you today

Thank God you are here as I bow to pray

I would like to thank the Vets 
that have served

To protect us, every day, 
in their own way.

They go to foreign lands 
that they can not say,

Leaving loved ones behind 
to go where they may;

To fight for our freedom and, 
so often, we don’t say
‘Thank you for leaving your 
free life behind, going
Where the battles are fought, 
in the heat or snow.

I want to thank you for all 
the wars that you fought.

The world wars were something 
that you did not desire.
Yet, you went where they sent you, for service to aspire.
Purple hearts were given 
to those that were hurt.
Air medals were earned because 
of you being an expert.

Thank you, dear Vet, 
for giving to me freedom, today,
Because you picked up your 
duffel bag and went far away.
You did not ask to be sent 
to Vietnam.
When you got home things 
were not calm.

People were unhappy because 
of the war and never said ‘thanks’;
Regardless of your status, 
your pain, or your rank.
You came back as brothers, 
with a bond for each other.
Thank you, dear Vet, 
for leaving your sisters and brothers.

We appreciate you that were 
called on for Desert Storm.
You never complained 
or came home forlorn.
The spirit was there 
(of the red, white and blue).
Thank you for being so brave 
and so true.

I married a marine forty years ago.
It wasn’t a piece of cake you know.
He was flying his airplane and having fun,
I was having babies and taking care of them.
Wishing at times I could run.
Any place would be O.K if I could just go play.
Be alone for one second would be great that day.
I had been up all night with a sick baby or two.
Maybe it was three I didn’t have a clue.
I was tired and weary and wanted to cry,
Then I would think how much he liked to fly.
I would gather my wits and pray not to quit,
be content with the choice I made for my life.
That was to be a marine wife

Military wives can identify with this

We love you dearly but we sure do miss

The help we could get when you are around

The emptiness you feel in our life will abound

Can’t you see how much I love you now

Could this be a coincidence or a miracle for me?
I was to have no children according to the doctors.
Ky was adopted and together I had three.
Chad was a miracle from God above.
Then came Shay whom I dearly love.
The ironic thing you see,
is the same doctor delivered all three.
What a puzzle to some that this could be,
a husband in the military, moving about for me.
When we found out we were going to have Chad,
to Vietnam went his dear old dad.
I never dreamed this could happen twice,
then came the time to find out about Shay.
Again the military called on my guy,
‘you will go to Vietnam again to fly’.
This was God’s divine will as I can see,
He sent me back to Dr. Wilkins and my family.
I moved to Brookhaven, Mississippi for a year at a time
My babies were born in the same hospital
God has a perfect plan and this one was for sure
With my loving doctor and family around, I could endure!!

My love that is far away from me tonight

In a land where I know you have to fight

You told me to look at the stars and you would be looking too

As I stare up above at the stars and long for my love

Do you hear me? I am staring at the star you told me to look for

Do you know I am crying and missing you so

The children are in bed and I just can’t go

My whole being is aching for the one that I love

Do you hear me? I am talking to the star but it seems so far

My thoughts are with you each minute of the day

Why did you have to go away and leave me, my love

I know the answer, it wasn’t your choice, it was the USMC

Do you hear me as I am face down on the pillow sobbing

My dear little boys safely asleep as my heart is throbbing

Do You Hear ME?

Dear Veteran you are so appreciated on this day

For the sacrifice you made for us to be free

You are my hero can’t you plainly see

If I never tell you what you really mean to me

It is not because I have forgotten what you did

You left your family, your friends in strife

To go and to serve and risk your life

I cannot begin to think of the memories in your head

You saw your comrades fight and some left for dead

Oh how I thank you on the Veterans Day

For the sacrifice you made for  the USA

I cannot fathom how those must think

When they look at you in disgust as if you stink

You fought for each supporter as well as the ones that shun

For me dear special one I am so grateful for what you have done

You came back scarred from war that we dread

Just know you are loved and appreciated

Tonight as you go to bed

Thank you dear special one

Let’s bow our heads and pray

Have a nice Veterans Day

In honor of all the vets and the ones that are serving today!!

That you showed the Germans it was you

Who saved so many lives that day

Many died and many wounded they say

You are our hero as we remember D-Day

Because of a cricket from a cracker Jack’s box

The other soldiers knew you were close by

When they heard the click they knew you were there

To bring them home to the ones that cared

Together you fought for a freedom that day

You hit the beaches for the USA

Together with a toy you knew your friend was close by

My brother in law was there and he did not die

Oh how thankful we are for what you did

You are our hero’s and we are so proud

That you hit the beaches of Normandy June 6, 1944

So we could be free because of another war

Thank you dear vets–We are proud of you!!!!

In honor of my brother in law Don Hemphill who resides in Brookhaven, Mississippi