in blood, sweat and tears
a legacy of failure has been sewn
upon this ground were legends born
and men have died.

its the long grey line
that connects past, present and future
that must endure this legacy
where we have to sing first

tradition steeped in battle among us
every year a new chapter written
to the victor goes the spoils
along the honor of singing second

on this ground here today
leaders born, forged and ready
for trials ahead beyond the gates
of this game of honor

whether black, grey and gold
or putrid blue and gold
60 minutes locked in battle
to forge a bond

unbroken by something deeper
something greater than one's self

Moonlight chorus of broken dreams
sung upon distant foreign shores
echoing upon the horizon
before the ground gives way

First a spark
now an ember burning
bursting into flame
beneath our wanting desire, we'll explode
lighting the way for dreams to heal

Daylight verses of hope
dancing upon broken glass
lost in silent acquiescence
fading upon the wind stretch sands

second a current
now a charge burning brightly
illuminating light in darkness
giving our desire merit, we'll fight
for hope to be amplified
in the hearts of man, anew.

I pose a question
does my life hold meaning?
it should be easy to ascertain
but too many questions remain
a quest for life unparalleled
yet death holds uncertainties
answers about life, and my meaning
its Schrödinger's cat for me
for i will never know till i look
temptation beyond words
like a slow undercurrent
milking its way along the ocean floor
always there and powerful, yet silent
until you find yourself within its control
twisting and twirling to escape
the cycle i find myself in
introspective yet distant from reality
yearning for the release
of despair from regret
while the question remains
does my life hold meaning

Socialist agendas destroying pride
labeling me based upon appearance
a racist with a bald head
just another neo-****
just guilty of being white

political correctness negating free speech
when all i do is speak the truth
free of racist intent
yet i am just another redneck
just guilty of being white

white pride tattooed upon my chest
iron crosses upon my arms
but you look for a hidden meaning
when all it means it white pride
and respect for my German heritage

its funny, the double standard that exists
when minorities do the same
and its nothing more than pride
but i am guilty without reason
beyond a doubt in your mind

yet you call me a racist
what does that say about you?

Call me every name in the book
murdered, baby killer, Satan
it matters not to me
for i will preserve your freedom
slap me, kick me, and spit upon my uniform
for i will stand here as you do so
silently, and as unmovable as the mountains
only when you are done with your abuse
shall i say
your welcome
for i will stand as the vanguard
watching the night as you sleep
so nothing will harm you or your family
i will give my life
without a second thought
so you may continue to belittle me
even after i am gone
resting upon fiddlers' green

I've almost forgotten
what it is to be alive
while the memories
of broken sleep linger
while nothing else remains

I wear the same boots
that walked in enemy terrority
no emotions remain
left to make me feel
what it means to be alive

The broken bodies of children
haunt my mind every now and then
when I think of my return
to a land that holds death
that holds the unknown

Even my finger upon the trigger
can't even stir a response
like the crackle of a radio
breaking the silence of night
screaming "MEDEVAC, MEDEVAC, MEDEVAC"

While I've listened to the lectures
even read the studies
but they can't see
the burning wreckage
the bloodstained floors

Some have said its survivor's guilt
some have even said its my hero complex
but where are the answers
for even the simpliest questions
Why? Why me?

Why must I be haunted
when will I be free
to escape the memories
stirred by the media
to grab ratings

Every death, another shot
another reminder for me
of the friends I've lost
of the missions I've pulled
as the golden hour slips away

but as I stand here
just a shell, vacant and empty
of who I used to be
while the memories linger
its those feelings that elude me

to those that I've known
to those that I've never met
your always remembered
and never forgotten
one day when my bones turn to ash
and when my spirit has left this world
may we drink a pint and remember
all that we given to protect
may we toast to freedom
and the lives we saved
while the world remembers
that we made the sacrifice
we went like warriors til
the very ****** end
fighting til our strength
sapped from our bones
but our love for our country
endures beyond what we've left

Rick Madsen - 09/03/08
Brandon Silk - 06/21/10
Josh Powell - 09/21/10

May you fly on the wings of angels
and dine with the best of men
Always Remembered Never Forgotten