To a Young Man or Woman Headed off to War.

"Godspeed And Return To Sender Please!"

Please always 

remember to............

Grow eyes in 

the back of your head, 

take notice of all 

the things around you, 

things that before you 

might have simply ignored. 

Develop a three mile stare. 

Sharpen your hearing, 

turn down those 

headphones for a while, 

listen harder for small sounds

tiny disturbances 

other people miss

Go out late at night 

and just study 

all the motion and 

the rustles around you, 

make sure you get your 

hearing checked thoroughly.

Practice being quiet, 

walk on gravel, sand, 

branches, twigs, rocks

and then strive to 

transmit the most 

minimal amount of 

sound possible.

your enemy is always

listening for you

Use your sense 

of smell to try detecting 

any approaching odors 

before you see them. 

Use saline drops to 

keep your nostrils clear.

Use your common sense, 

from now till when you 

leave for any war zone.

Watch your back, your 

sides and your front, 

as if you were in 

a pit of rattlesnakes, 

because you will be.

Get on the right 

track with God, 

he is your best ally 

and his name

as well as your Mom's 

will be the two names 

you will call on the most....

and the last one many 

have called upon.

Strengthen your endurance, 

run till you can't run anymore, 

and then run some more, 

hold your breath until

you can't hold it anymore, 

and then hold it again.

Learn to swim 

without arms, 

using just your legs, 

and vice versa.

Build up your muscles 

to their top potential 

so that they are 

always there for you.

Expect the unexpected, 

have your friends 

try to sneak up on you 

and then catch them in the act.

Clear your head of all problems 

and commitments back home, 

so many have been felled 

after some trouble stateside

distracted them.

Lose all of your vices, 

a cigarette being lit 

has killed more men in battle

then bullets sometimes, 

Alcohol has no place 

there, and drugs 

are the enemy’s 

best defense.

Go in bravely, 

fight hard 

and be confident 

that you can win, 

using all the tools above, 

and some of your 

own from your soul.

Never be afraid or 

reluctant to kill, 

or you will be killed.

You can be merciful in killing, 

make it quick, clean,

and as painless as possible.

For killing leaves scars 

that you must carry all your life, 

let them be merciful scars 

that were wrought for just causes.

Wear your body armor always, 

your safety belts, helmets,

tethers and life jackets, 

no matter how hot it gets, 

no matter what the circumstances.

You would not 

believe how many men 

have drowned in 

two stupid deserts.

Pray often and sincerely 

for God hears a warrior’s prayers 

and if it's in his will he answers, 

and if it's not then you will receive 

a glorious awardfor your sacrifices... 

if not here on earth, then in heaven.

Make no rash decisions, 

proceed slowly, 

trust your instincts, 

and we will see you

when your tour is through, 

A changed person,

but a true survivor 

and a patriot.

There are many

heroes in my book 

but mostly dead ones, 

those who risked it all

to save others.

You don't have to

be a hero, just be. 

Peace to you and yours.

My hopes and prayers

go with you....

my flesh would too but I

am a retired warrior.

Godspeed to you, 

and a Teflon coat of love, 

to wrap around you, 

so that no pain

nor sorrow ever sticks 

beyond the moments 

it is dealt.