Jerrod (Corp. USMC) spent seven months in Fallujah during 2004, the photo was taken on the day he returned home. The little girl in the photo wrote the poem on Veterans day as a tribute to him and the brave men and women of our armed services.
A Tribute “One Day”
Am I just anyone?
In this foreign, land
Battered and homesick
My breathing uneven
With a gun in my hand
Could I be anyone?
Yes, in times of peace
When the fire no longer rolls
And the ground no longer shakes
For these rare times are the ones I seek
But I am not just anyone
Not when pieces are remainders of the sky
And there is death at every corner
Taunting me, slurring me
Trying to bring madness into my bloodshot eyes
For I am someone
Who never flees
Strong through my terror
Faithful until my end
Fighting to keep my country free