My Dad Is A Soldier
I received a beautiful email from Michele Fortenberry asking me if I would publish a poem she wrote to her husband currently serving with the Stryker Brigade in Iraq. Michele is also soliciting submissions for a project she is currently working on. Attached below is her description of the project, the photo included in her email to me, and the poem itself. Read and enjoy.
You guys are an amazing group.
Hello Everyone,
My husband is in the U.S. Army's Stryker Brigade, and is deployed to Iraq. It has been hard since he left, but I have finally found a proactive way to deal with the fear and stress of separation.
Not long ago I started to write an email to my husband, and created the attached poem instead. I am now in the process of making a picture book based on the poem, and am requesting input from anyone who is interested in this project.
A single verse from the poem will be on each page, with a large photograph that relates to the verse. I am also adding a section at the end of the book, which will include stories of how families are coping with this difficult separation and the things that they do to feel close to their deployed loved one(s). Children's art work, poems, letters to, for and/or about their loved one(s) will be in this section, as well as anything that is relevant to the topic and the meaning behind the poem. Your contributions of photos, drawings and/or written materials would be most appreciated.
My hope is that this book will help adults and children deal with many of the issues surrounding deployment in positive ways. Because the poem seems to evoke such strong emotions, conversations can be initiated regarding these emotions, and feelings can be validated. And the collection of coping strategies will, hopefully, suggest constructive ways to incorporate ideas into family routines, and help to begin the healing process.
The only restriction I am putting on the submitted material is that there be no guns in the hands of the soldiers. I feel that this sort of picture might send the wrong message to young children, and may lead some children to the conclusion that using guns to solve problems is appropriate. This type of picture may also frighten some children, and cause them to worry excessively. I do, however, encourage parents or guardians to discuss these issues with their children.
I will accept pictures with military vehicles in the background, such as Strykers, Humvees, tanks, etc.. Although some may have weapons mounted on them, they are visible on military installations. Military children grow up around them, or have a parent or loved one whose job is to operate them, repair them, etc. So in most cases, even an armed vehicle will probably not evoke feelings of fear.
I encourage everyone to participate - immediate and extended family members, friends, and single soldiers who may have children someday and wish to share this experience with them. Pictures of service members in civilian attire are also welcome, as soldiers typically do not wear their uniforms 24-7. Even photos of signs created to support our troops would be welcome.
Please include your phone number and/or email or street address and a statement allowing me to use the materials submitted I will create a formal document later for legal purposes.
Thank you so much for your interest in this project,
Michele
(JnChele@comcast.net)
My Dad Is A Soldier
My dad is a soldier. I can not lie,
When he was deployed it made me cry.
It made me feel angry, alone, and afraid.
I find myself wishing that he could have stayed.
I’m not sure I understand just why he had to go.
But I do understand that he could not say no.
I am so proud of my dad, for he’s loyal, brave and true.
People say he’s protecting my freedom - and your freedom too.
I will patiently wait for my dad to come back.
I pray things get better quickly over there in Iraq.
What a heavy burden he must be carrying around.
While conducting those raids in a dusty, foreign town.
The comforts of home, he must terribly miss.
He must feel so alone, with no one to hug and to kiss.
It’s so hard to get through this, though I know that I will.
I can’t wait for this void in my heart to be filled.
To hear the voice of my dad and feel the warmth of his arms.
When he wraps them around me, I feel protected from harm.
My dad is a soldier, I can not lie.
When he returns home, it will make me cry.
To know that he served this great country with pride,
and “An Army of One” standing right by his side.
by Michele C. Fortenberry
Proud Army Wife and Mother of Three
January 3, 2004
