I have had this p#@*%! printed in our Funeral Director monthly, I am a funeral arranger, and have had many people coming in to ask for a copy, I support H4H and have funeral directors up and down the country supporting also.To date we have raised in excess of £25.000.00, I will also be supporting the 70th Battle of britain commemoration this year, proceeds going to the RAF benevolant fund. A million thankyou's to all our troops past and present, what would we do without you godbless you all X

Very nice site, I enjoyed it a lot. Thank you. Good idea to do the web this way!

Two very beautiful poems. I extend my wishes for a quick recovery for Sgt. Helterbran. Thank you for gifting this country with your works, and your service. If you find yourself in need of friends to help in the recovery process, the folks at Ride to Recovery are amazing, and always welcome more to their family.

Thank you so much for your dedication and service brother. I heard this poem for the first time on Extreme Makeover;home edition when they did a soldiers home and it was his inspiration. I now am also inspired by your words and thank God that we are Free by our works and his Grace. Thank you again for your thoughts put to pen. Equipment Operator First Class Jim Bryant US Navy Seabee NMCB15

I just want to start off by thanking you for all you have done. THANK YOU!
On August 18th,2010 I was watching Extreme Home Makeover. They were doing a home makeover for an Army Medic named Louis Rodrigez. He had lost his leg in Iraq while in the field tending to our hurt soldiers. When Ty and his team went in to start working on the house, this p#@*%! was on the wall in Louis' home. I had to look up the p#@*%! and read for myself. I cried, it is so beautiful. Has alot of meaning for me. I lost a nephew in Iraq in 2006. My heart goes out to you and your family.
I just wanted to express my feelings and for you to know that I aprreciate the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom and to this country!

THANK YOU!!!
Nicol S. Rossi

Dear Joshua,
For all you've done for your country, the people who live in this great country and for your fellow soldiers, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your faithful service. As a U.S. Navy widow, I know the sacrifice you and your family have endured. Your peom was inspirational and heart felt. I am a better person just for reading it and getting a little insight into the mind of a true soldier, I wish you a speedy recovery, God Bless you and your family,now and always. And thank you again for your service to this still wonderful country. And thank your for making sure me and my children sleep safe in our beds at night. God Bless America!!
Sincerely Yours,
Jacqueline Decker

I am the mother of a female in the MP in Virginia-the 266th MP CO.She has been to Iraq and mde it home safely and in 17 months she is heading to Afghanstain.As I sat here in my living room and read this p#@*%!,I cried.Because I know I am one of the lucky parents whose child came home.This p#@*%! is so heart warming and touching.God bless all the men and women who are fighting for our freedom.Bless you Joshua for taking the time to write it.

I never thought a poem could mean so much until you lose someone that is close to you. These words hit home for me and although many have made it back home safely, including myself, others are still out there fighting. In loving memory Sgt Leston Winters 7/15/2010

I come from a long line of military personnel. I want to thank you for your service and to all those who still are and have. I have 2 family members who are currently deployed and I pray for them and all of our troops everyday. Have courage for God is with you.

God bless & keep you & yours
With much admiration

Thank you, to all those who sacrifice
so much for our continued freedoms.
Those who wear the uniforms and their families for I know first hand many of the sacrifices too which you endure.
Gratefully, Jean

I have heard this poem many times and it it brings tears to my eyes everytime.I am reminded of the many that have passed out of this life, that I have laughed with, cried, been shot at, blown up, scared, bled, lost sleep, got drunk and attended funerals with. I will see you all again sometime. It might just take me a while so keep a cold one on ice for when I get there.
DOC

the poem 'The Final Inspection" is a wonderful poem, thank you SGT Joshua Helterbran,

Thank You for such a beautiful poem. My son David was KIA on 4-27-07 in Fallujah Iraq. His SGT. Will Castillo was the only survivor. We spent this weekend with him and I shared with him that I was looking for something special to read during our small towns Memorial Day Ceremony. He shared this with me and I will read it with much pride.
Thank You
Rhonda Kirkpatrick
Mom of PFC David Austin Kirkpatrick
KIA 4-27-07 Fallujah Iraq

the poem was written by a Christian, but it suits our IDF (Israel Defense Forces) guys as well. May God bless you.

Thank you for this I have a framed copy in my home. For all the men and women who serve everyday, remember we are fighting for each others families.

Thanks so much for your service. My son joined the army at the age of 34. He's home now safe and sound. I will continue to pray for all our soldiers.

I just wanted to say I had never heard this poem, til one sunday I was watching Extreme Home Makeover and there was a soldier that lost his leg in Iraq and I had to go online and see if I could find the poem. I found it and immediatley printed it out. My husband was also a soldier that was injured in Iraq, and he feels useless now because he can no longer work and help support his family. This poem says it all. He will always be my hero, even if he never works another day in his life. He did his work and served his time in Hell. And all he should have to do now is take care of himself and thank God everyday to be one that made it home. Thanks, to the soldiers that serve, thanks to those that have lost their lives, and thanks to the families that support those soldiers.

My husband was recently deployed to Afghaninstan, I read this poem and it pulled at my heart strings. I have the highest respect for those serving in our Armed Forces and thank you for putting your life on the line for the counrty we all call home, America. God Bless.

Thank you so much for your service to our country and for this poem which serves as an inspiration to others!

I have often read this poem and it has brought me piece of mind on more then 1 occasion. From 1 soldier to another I would like to say thank you for writing it and sharing it with the public.

I want to why as a Vietnam veteran I was spit upon when I returned from my second tour. I fractured the legs of the spitter. I want an apology from the 60's hippies and the American public as well.

Pt. 2

Soldier, Soldier, Soldier
You have given your all, to protect others like me
You have now returned at last, your fighting there is done,
Your final journey is now ahead of you, although it may be a lonely one
Your work there will carry us forward, and from you, we will learn,
That with strength of character such as yours, we can travel on.
--------------------------
Soldier, Soldier, Soldier
“Lest We Forget” what you have done,
We will remember you, each and everyone.
Past and present you have all fought for us, to make our life ahead a better one,
God Bless you in your after life, may you be free of all pain and anguish.
For us, our memories of you will never die, and we all will surely cherish!

Spider!
(In the Phrase “Lest We Forget” – the word “Lest” means “For Fear That” – We Forget)

I have written this to mark the 100th repatriation of our fallen service personnel through Wootton Bassett England on the 20th November 2009. But also to remind us of the millions of people who have died or been injured in conflicts around the world. Hopefully one day it is the world itself that will “Rest in Peace”

Soldier, Soldier, Soldier
“Lest We Forget”
Written By - Spider!
Royal British Legion Riders Branch)
http://www.rblr.co.uk

---------

Soldier, Soldier, Soldier
You off to war did go,
A brave and much loved Person
Of whom I did not know,
You fought a foe you could not see
Although beside you he may be, but to you he wouldn’t show,
--------------------------
Soldier, Soldier, Soldier
You fought, with your head held high
In heat and cold you fought so hard, your valour ever bold,
Fighting on with a will, that you knew would never die
But for what cause is this you risked your life,
What are the reasons never told,
--------------------------
Soldier, Soldier, Soldier
We may never know my friend, the reason for you not growing old,
The reason for your Mother, Father, sister, brother
No longer, having you to hold,
The reason for your children, to lie awake at night,
Crying after losing Dad, because of someone else’s fight.
--------------------------
Soldier, Soldier, Soldier
Sadly now the time has come, you no longer have to fight, for you it is all over
The enemy sought you out, albeit by bullet or by bomb,
Yet another damned statistic on the press front cover
And back to this country, you will come,
Just like so many, who before you may have done!
--------------------------
see Pt. 2

Thanks.See you all on the high ground!

truer words will never be spoken. your words have influenced many and will continue to do so.

Thank you all for your kind words. I wish you all the best and I pray a safe recovery for all the loved ones that are serving in the world. God grant them the strength to stay stong and to hurry home. God Bless.
SGT Joshua Helterbran

This poem was very touching. Coming from a family where many of my relatives serve proudly, I couldn't help but get goose bumps while reading this. It was very well written and touching. May God send his holy angels to protect each and every soldier fighting for what many of us take for granted. May God's healing power reach out to each and every man and woman injured protecting this great nation. God Bless our soldiers and God Bless America!

Thank you!!

Dear Josh,

Not only are you a brave person(soldier) but you also have a gift to write! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with us all.

I haven't read a poem that made me tear up as much as yours just did. I have family and friends in the military.

Thanks for all you do!