Women Marines - Poems

Glory of Women (by Siegfried Sasson)

You love us when we're heroes, home on leave
Or wounded in a mentionable place.
You worship decorations; you believe
That chivalry redeems the war's disgrace.
You make us shells. You listen with delight,
By tales of dirt and danger fondly thrilled.
You crown our distant ardours while we fight,
And mourn our laurelled memories when we're killed.
You can't believe that British troops retire
When hell's last horror breaks them, and they run.
You can't believe a women like me is fighting still.

I Will Always Remember You (by Gini Stern)

You were born in California
New York and Tennessee
You are every generations hope
of all that we can be
All this land between the oceans
Is the home that you defend
You're my mother, you're my daughter
My sister, my friend

No one ever had to ask you
It seemed you always knew
Standing up for what is right
Is all that you could do
Not one to look the other way
You choose to serve with pride
And dared to cross the boundaries
Knowing God was on your side

And I will always remember you
For you remembered me.
Always there when I needed you
Always there protecting my freedom
How could I ever forget you
You, who always came through
For duty, honor, country
I will always remember you

How you taught us strength and courage
And the will to never fail
And that through our every conflict
Somehow triumph would prevail
You made your peace with history
And stand among the brave
No more the unsung hero
For you our banners wave

And I will always remember you
For you remembered me
Always there when I needed you
Always there protecting my freedom
How could I ever forget you
You, who always came through
For duty, honor, country
I will always remember you

The Fire Bombing (by James Dickey)

Goodbye to the grassy mountains
To cloud streaming from the night engines
Flags, pennons, curved silks
of air myself streaming also
My body covered
With flags, the air of flags
Between the engines.
Forever I do not sleep in that position,
Forever in a turn
For home that breaks out streaming banners
From my wingtips,
Wholly in femine position to admire.
mcgeough@ibm.net

UNITY AND STRENGTH

It is time we come forward,
we have waited long enough,
to be recognized as veterans.
We've fought numerous battles
of attitudes and prejudices.
We are, indeed, unique,
for we are risk takers,
and ground breakers,
by joining the service.
We've marched in every war,
helping fight behind the lines
and on front lines with you.
We've dealt with hositility
by being put in places
where we weren't wanted.
We've been ignored, harassed,
threatened and assaulted.
We've faced the same enemies as you,
even had more enemies than you,
for sometimes you were our enemy.
We're not here to point a finger,
to condemn or make accusations.
We're here to join hands and voices
in unity and strength,
to claim our right to be recognized
not just as women veterans, 
but that we're veterans, too.

WOMEN ARE VETERANS, TOO

We weren't just tokens or pretty faces,
to decorate your offices and platoons;
we weren't dumb, too plain or too stupid
to make it in the real world.
We've marched your muddy roads,
carried and shot your heavy guns.
We've been shot at, wounded, and died,
and been prisoners of war.
We've been active in all services,
and risen to high ranks.
We've tended your bleeding wounds,
and held you when you were dying.
We've flown your mighty airplanes
and naviated your giant ships.
We've fixed your broken engines
and driven heavy equipment.
We've mailed letters for you,
and  brought you news from home.
We've stood along side of you,
without flinching or running away,
and continue to stand by you today.
We are not asking for special treatment,
or that you should go out of your way.
We're only asking that you recognize
that womens are veterans, too.

Both by Lynda K. Dokken   USMC  1966-67 

Side by Side
by Jennifer L. Best, SPC US Army
currently serving in the Republic of South Korea

Women have fought
Women have died
Women have served
and served with pride

From the revolutionary war
and yet still today
Women stand side by side
with men in uniform and say

That they will support and defend
the constitution of the United States
Proudly, in the air on land and sea
They continue to fight for our freedom
wherever that may be

Their dedication to duty
reflected, their selfless service was so true
from private to general
these women did and still do

So be thankful for these women
past and serving still today
be thankful that they gave so much
and include them when you pray